Japan's landslides death toll rises to 70

TOKYO, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- The death toll from devastating landslides caused by heavy rain in the western Japanese city of Hiroshima rose to 70, with 18 others still missing, police said Wednesday.
More than 3,400 rescue workers, including Self-Defense Force personnel and firefighters, have been conducting search and rescue operations, a week after rain-triggered landslides engulfed residential areas on the mountainside.
However, the operations have been often hampered due to fears of further mudslides caused by rain. As of Wednesday, about 1,300 people remained in shelters in the city.
On early Aug. 20, a record 217.5 millimeters of rain was recorded in the hardest-hit area in three hours, surpassing the total monthly average for August. (end) mk.nfm