Japan boosts rescue efforts as it warns of more rain in flood-hit areas

FILE PHOTO: Local residents are rescued by Japan Self-Defense Force soldiers using a boat on a flooded road, caused by heavy rain in Omuta, Fukuoka prefecture, southern Japan July 7, 2020 in this photo taken by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan on Tuesday warned of more heavy rain on the southwestern island of Kyushu and bolstered rescue operations as the death toll in flood-hit areas rose past 50 with about a dozen people reported missing.

The government said it would double rescue and relief personnel as heavy rain destroyed homes and caused landslides in what is shaping up to be Japan's worst natural disaster since Typhoon Hagibis killed 90 people in October.