Tokyo, Jul 15 (IANS): Torrential downpour continued to drench Japan's Kyushu island Saturday, killing at least 22 people which forced authorities to order the evacuation of more than 246,000 residents, Xinhua reported.
Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate in the rain-hit Kumamoto, Oita and Fukuoka prefectures.
The heavy rain also halted bullet train services, forced the closure of expressways and caused power blackouts.
Police said eight people were missing as a result of the intermittent rain.