Typhoon Lionrock hits northern Japan, at least 10 people killed

Japan: At least 10 people has lost their life in a disastrous typhoon in northern Japan, following the powerful tropical cyclone that hit the region. Typhoon Lionrock hit northern Japan on Tuesday evening, causing heavy rains resulting flooding and power outages.

According to reports by broadcaster NHK, nine of the dead were at an elderly care home in the town of Iwaizumi, in Iwate prefecture, and an old woman was killed in Kuji City.

“We are trying to confirm the identities of these bodies,” Iwate prefectural police Shuko Sakamoto told AFP, adding that nine dead bodies were found inside the care home.

Two rivers expanded by the Typhoon Lionrock broke through their embankments, flooding areas in northern Japan.
Speaking to NHK, the Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism said the embankments gave way before dawn on Wednesday on the northern island of Hokkaido.

The area hit by the typhoon in northern Japan is still recovering from the tsunami disaster in 2011.

Reports say police received calls that some people were trapped in the aged care home after Typhoon Lionrock caused flooding but found the bodies when they arrived there.

People were being rescued by helicopters and the aged care home is partially buried in mud and rubble.

According to reports by AP, authorities in the town of Minami-furano say people are trapped in houses and shelters after the Sorachi river flooded.

Serious flooding were also reported in south of Hokkaido in Iwate prefecture on Japan’s main island, Honshu.

Fire and Disaster Management Agency told AP that at least three people were wounded across northern prefectures — Aomori, Akita and Miyagi.