Searches continue along the Sea of Japan coast since heavy rainfall over the weekend left more than 100 villages inaccessible, 46 towns without communications and more than 5,000 households without water service due to damaged pipes.

Police reports indicate that the causes of death are mostly caused by washouts from swollen rivers, landslides and house collapses.

The Japan Meteorological Agency estimated that in the city of Wajima more than 498 millimeters of rain fell in 48 hours (a record amount) on September 20 and 21, and in the city of Suzu it registered 393 millimeters, twice the monthly norm for September.

Among the most affected areas were the village of Noto and the cities of Wajima and Suzu.

In fact, the deceased are residents of these two cities: nine from Wajima and two from Suzu.

Since the weekend, Ishikawa authorities have had to help evacuate hundreds of thousands of people in towns and villages in the prefecture.

Rescue teams are still combing the affected areas.

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