Japan floods death toll rises to 18, officials say

Swathes of Kyushu have been left devastated after overflowing rivers and torrential downpours swept away roads, houses and schools this week

<p>Firefighters cross a swollen river during a search operation following the flooding caused by heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture, southwestern Japan, Saturday, July 8, 2017. The southern island of Kyushu suffered heavy rain after Typhoon Nanmadol swept across Japan earlier in the week, dumping large amounts of rain that damaged homes, roads and rice fields. (Junko Ozaki/Kyodo News via AP)</p>

Local residents stand beside drifted wood and a damaged road sign following heavy flooding in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture on July 8, 2017. The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 15, media reported, as rescuers continued work to bring out isolated survivors. JAPAN OUT / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / STR / Japan OUT

Local residents and rescue workers take part in seach operations for missing people in flood area in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture, on July 8, 2017. The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 15, a government official said, as rescuers continued work to evacuate isolated survivors. JAPAN OUT / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS AND AFP PHOTO / STR / Japan OUT

Policemen and members of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force take part in seach operations for missing people in a flooded area in Toho, Fukuoka prefecture, on July 8, 2017. The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 15, a government official said, as rescuers continued work to evacuate isolated survivors. / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / STR / Japan OUT

<p>Firefighters inspect the collapsed houses in the mud following the flooding caused by heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka prefecture, southwestern Japan, Saturday, July 8, 2017. The southern island of Kyushu suffered heavy rain after Typhoon Nanmadol swept across Japan earlier in the week, dumping large amounts of rain that damaged homes, roads and rice fields. (Koji Harada/Kyodo News via AP)</p>

Workers use extravators to remove debris which were swept away by heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato

Defense forces soldiers walk beside a river during a search operation for missing poeple in a flooded area in Asakura on July 9, 2017. The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 15, a government official, as rescuers continued work to evacuate isolated survivors. / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / STR / Japan OUT

An overview shows a land slide on a mountain in a flooded area in Asakura on July 9, 2017. The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 15, a government official, as rescuers continued work to evacuate isolated survivors. / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / STR / Japan OUT

A police officer stands next to debris swept away by heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato

Men walk in front of damaged houses surrounded by swept away after heavy rain in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato

TOKYO // The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Japan's south has risen to 18, officials said on Sunday, as rescue teams continued their search for survivors.

Swathes of Kyushu - the southernmost of Japan's four main islands - have been left devastated after overflowing rivers and torrential downpours swept away roads, houses and schools this week.

Thousands of people have been evacuated to makeshift shelters in school gyms and public buildings, but many remain stranded, with emergency services battling through thick mud and rain to try to reach them.

More than 500 people were still cut off by Sunday, public broadcaster NHK reported, with collapsed bridges and waterlogged ground on steep hillsides hampering rescue efforts.

The government was doing its "utmost" to recover those missing or stranded, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a rare weekend press conference.

Officials of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures said a total 18 people had been confirmed dead while 27 were missing or could not be reached.

Five people were in critical condition, Mr Suga said, with the government still trying to ascertain if their injuries were a result of the severe weather.

Television footage showed rescue helicopters held up at a makeshift heliport - unable to fly because of the downpours, while people prayed for the safety of their family members.

More than 50 centimetres of rain deluged parts of Kyushu in 12 hours on Wednesday, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to warn of possible significant damage.

Rains have continued intermittently since, with up to 22 centimetres recorded in Fukuoka in the past 72-hour period.

Japan's weather agency on Sunday warned of continued heavy rains and mudslides in northern Kyushu.