Flooding and landslides have killed at least 50 people and left dozens missing in western areas of Japan.

Train tracks and vehicles are buried in mud caused by a
heavy rain in Sakacho, Hiroshima prefecture, western Japan [Photo:News.co.au]

Most of the deaths have occurred in Hiroshima prefecture, which has been hit by torrential rain since Thursday.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged.

An aerial view of collapsed houses following heavy rain in Hiroshima [Photo:News.co.au]

About 1.5 million people have been ordered to leave their homes and three million more advised to do so.

Thousands of police, firefighters and soldiers are taking part in search‑and‑rescue operations.

An emergency crew works on a train derailed due to landslides
caused by heavy rain in Karatsu city, Saga prefecture [Photo:The Guardian]

Japan's Kyodo news agency reports, some of the victims have been buried alive by landslides.

Rescuers search for survivors in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka,
after torrential rain triggered landslides in western Japan [Photo:The Guardian]

More rain is expected over the next few days.

[Source:BBC News]