In early July 2018, successive heavy downpours in southwestern Japan resulted in widespread, devastating floods and mudflows. As of 9 July, 126 people were killed (several buried alive by landslides); 86 were declared missing. More than 8 million people were advised or urged to evacuate across 23 prefectures.[2] Approximately 54,000 members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, police and firefighters have been searching for the people trapped or injured in landslides and flooding triggered by the heavy rain, while the Japanese government has set up a liaison unit at the crisis management center of the prime minister's office to gather information.[3]