Japan has launched a major rescue operation to save people trapped by floods which have engulfed parts of the country.  

About 100,000 people have been evacuated but for some the only way out was by rescue helicopter.

Another 800,00 have been warned they should also flee their homes.

Rivers burst their banks as some areas got more than double their average rain for September in just two days after a tropical storm hit.

These were the scenes of chaos in Joso city.Japan's Self-Defense Force launched a fleet of boats and helicopters to bring stranded residents to safety.

They included an elderly couple clinging desperately to the roof of their home with two dogs.

Evacuation centres have been set up to shelter those forced to leave their homes.

Weather forecasters say the rain should subside tomorrow, but not before another 20 centimetres at least falls on the devastated region.

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