Severe flooding in parts of western Japan - brought on by heavy rains.<br/> <br />Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated - and at least one person is missing.<br/> <br />According to local media, at least 20,000 people have been issued evacuation orders, as nearby rivers overrun their banks.<br/> <br />Many stores and homes have been inundated - residents attempted to stop the water, but to no avail.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT SAYING:<br/> <br />"We tried to put sandbags but just couldn't make it in time."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED RESIDENT SAYING:<br/> <br />"We've had flood damage twice before, but this time was the scariest."<br/> <br />The missing person is an elderly man, who police say they suspect may have been washed away by an overflowing river.<br/> <br />While the rains had died down, more downpours were expected late Tuesday, with Japan's meteorological agency warning against more flooding and landslides.<br/> <br />Travis Brecher, Reuters
