Death Toll Rose as Typhoon Talas Slammed Western Japan

Ever since landfall, Typhoon Talas has unleashed record rainfall that triggered
landslides and flooding. As of Monday the 5th, the death toll from the storm has risen
to 29. According to various prefectural police, another 56 people are missing. In the
Kii peninsula, over 16,000 residents are urged to evacuate from the area; and
approximately another 30,000 are encouraged to evacuate voluntarily. The nation’s
government has set up an emergency task force for search-and-rescue operations as
reconstruction of damaged communities is being processed.