Tokyo-Southern Japenese town hit by deadly rains and floodwaters that left about 60 people died and dozens are missing in the southern island of Kyushu.

The authorities have ordered more than 200,000 to move out and 10,000 defense groups, rescue helicopters, the coast guard, fire brigades are mobilized from around the country. Hardest-hit floodwater and continuing harsh weather eventually hampered the rescue operations.

Heavy rainfall is prognosticated to continue in Kyushu and the western half of Japan’s main island. Pummeling rain since late Friday has triggered widespread flooding.

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged people to be on “maximum alert”.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency kept mudslide warnings in place across Kumamoto and said such rainfall had never been seen before in this region.

The rainfall that exceeds 100 millimeters per hour, the agency said.

The official residence of Kumamoto and Kagoshima has been the worst hit. More than 3 million residents in Kumamoto were urged to shift due to pounding rains. Japan is at high risk of heavy rain in early summer.

Footage shows a bridge over the Kuma river washed away, vending machine and car lay scattered on mud-coated streets.

As a consequence cut off power and communication lines, eventually delays search and rescue.