14 dead as typhoon batters eastern Japan
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Tokyo - At least 14 people died in eastern Japan as a powerful typhoon bringing torrential rains and strong winds lashed the region Wednesday, news reports said.
Thirteen residents died and about 50 people remained unaccounted for after dozens of homes were destroyed by mudslides on Izu Oshima island, 120 kilometres south of Tokyo, broadcaster NHK reported, citing local authorities.
Record rainfall of 122 millimetres per hour was registered on Izu Oshima earlier in the day and the rainfall over the past 24 hours through Wednesday morning had exceeded 800 millimetres, more than double the average for October on the island, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.//DPA
