Torrential Rain Claims Ninth Life in Ishikawa Prefecture

The death toll from the record-breaking torrential rain that battered the Noto Peninsula over the weekend has risen to nine. On September 25th, the body of a woman was discovered in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, buried under mud and debris. Excavators had to dig about a meter into the accumulated sediment to reach the body. A white car was also found nearby, possibly belonging to the unidentified woman.

Authorities are still searching for three people who remain unaccounted for in the area. The search effort involves a team of 440 personnel from the local fire department, police, and the Self-Defense Forces. As of 10 a.m. on September 25th, two people were officially missing, while six others were unaccounted for, likely due to the disaster.

The heavy rain caused landslides and flooded rivers, adding to the devastation caused by the January 1st earthquake that the region was still recovering from. The site where the woman's body was found is located by the Tsukadagawa river, which runs through the city's Futegawamachi area. Seven deaths have been confirmed in Wajima and two in neighboring Suzu.

The local authorities continue to search for the missing individuals and assess the damage caused by the torrential rain. The region is facing a difficult recovery process, grappling with the aftermath of both the earthquake and the recent floods.