19 people missing and many houses were swept away after a large landslide occurred in the resort city in Shizuoka Prefecture.

The serious landslides occurred in the famous Atami resort city, southwest of Tokyo capital about 10:30 today after many heavy rainy days.

I heard the terrible sound and saw the mud falling down when the rescue workers urged everyone to evacuate.

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Shizuoka provincial officials said there were 19 people missing after the earthquake and now unknown how to live.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will meet the ministers this afternoon to discuss landslides and other damages caused by storms, according to Japanese media.

Rainfall measured in Atami city on the previous day was 313 mm, higher than the average monthly average in July was 242.5 mm, according to NHK.

The scene after the landslide in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture today.

Much of Japan is in the annual rainy season, lasting a few weeks and often causes floods or landslides, causing local authorities to issue multiple evacuation orders.

Experts say climate change has exacerbated this phenomenon, because the hotter atmosphere will accumulate more water and cause heavy rain.

More than 200 people died when the horrific flood attacked Western Japan in 2018. Last year, dozens of people were killed when Covid-19 hinders rescue efforts.