Japan: Flood death toll rises to 14

The death toll from torrential rains and flooding in northern Japan rose to 14 today after officials recovered the bodies of two people earlier reported missing. One woman remained unaccounted for.

Since Monday, as much as 49cms (20ins) of rain has fallen in Niigata prefecture – nearly one-fifth the annual average – and the heavy rains were expected to continue, Niigata Observatory spokesman Hajime Ito said.