Search continues for couple in Tochigi after mudslide collapse
A residential property was destroyed by mud inundation on the night of July 18, leaving a couple in their 60s missing as emergency services conduct ongoing operations.
Record-breaking heavy rain fell across Tochigi and Gunma prefectures during the early hours of July 18, 2026, triggering widespread landslides and flooding. The severe weather event has prompted emergency response operations, with local authorities focusing on areas where infrastructure and residential structures have been compromised by the deluge.
In Ashikaga City, Tochigi, a house collapsed after being inundated by mud. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) serves as the primary source for weather forecasts and warnings in the region, issuing alerts such as 'linear rainband imminent prediction' warnings and Level 4 flood danger warnings during such extreme weather events.
A couple in their 60s who resided in the collapsed residence are currently missing. Local authorities in Ashikaga City have initiated search operations for the individuals, though the outcome of the search remains unknown. The precise volume or source of the mud flow that caused the structural failure has not been detailed in available reports.
The heavy rain event affected both Tochigi and Gunma prefectures, causing multiple instances of landslides and flooding. While the specific incident in Ashikaga City involves a single residential collapse, the broader context indicates significant disruption across the region due to the intensity of the rainfall.
Claims regarding the "record-breaking" nature of the rain are attributed to NHK and local meteorological data. As the search continues, authorities have not confirmed the status of the missing couple, emphasizing that operations are ongoing and definitive statements regarding their fate cannot yet be made.
