Floods in Japan kill 25, thousands remain cut off
Officials say at least 25 people have died andthousands of others remain cut off by floods and mudslides triggered bytorrential rains in southern Japan.
Evacuation orders issued a day earlier for a quarter of amillion people were lifted in most areas Sunday as the rains subsided, allowingmany people to return home.
But thousands remained cut off by landslides or fallen treesthat blocked roads in mountainous areas.
Local officials said 21 people died in hardest-hit Kumamotoprefecture. Four others died in nearby Oita and Fukuoka on the southern islandof Kyushu.
Seven others remained missing. Most victims were in their70s and 80s.
Houses in Kyoto, Japan's old capital, also were flooded.
The Meteorological Agency said the worst was over butpredicted more rain through Monday.