Seven people killed as Japan hit by landslides and floods, reports say

Seven people have died after heavy rain triggered landslides and floods in Japan, according to reports.

The conditions in the Ishikawa prefecture also left seven people missing as waters engulfed many homes, said public broadcaster NHK.

Some buildings were swept away by the overflowing rivers.

Rescue workers are continuing to search for missing people in a number of towns and cities.

Several cities in the prefecture were issued with the highest alert level for heavy rain at the weekend.

In Suzu, the authorities said one person died and another was missing after being swept away in floodwaters.

In Wajima, a landslide killed two people at a construction site near Nakaya tunnel. Another 10 people were rescued, NHK reported.

Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said another person was missing due to floods at a different location in the city.

In Noto, one person was missing while two people were seriously injured by a landslide.

At least 16 rivers in Ishikawa breached their banks at the weekend, according to the Land and Infrastructure Ministry.

Around 1,350 residents took shelter at community centres, school gymnasiums and other town facilities, authorities said.

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About 20ins (50.8cms) of rain has fallen in the region over the last three days, officials added.

The area is still trying to recover from an earthquake on 1 January, which left more than 200 people dead.