Thousands of people in southern Japan remained cut off by floods and mudslides triggered by torrential rains that have killed at least 28 people.

Most of the estimated quarter of a million people who fled flooding in south-west Japan were able to return home today, although the danger has not fully passed from record rainfall that led to at least 28 deaths.

Thousands of people in southern Japan remained cut off by floods and mudslides triggered by torrential rains that have killed at least 26 people, local authorities said.

Troops yesterday airlifted supplies to thousands of people cut off by landslides and torrential downpours that have killed at least 24 in south-west Japan as further heavy rain was forecast.