Japan suffers severe flooding - in pictures

Residential streets are submerged after a river overflowed its banks in Kumamoto on Japan's southern island of Kyushu Photograph: Masanobu Nakatsukasa/AP

Troops look at trees carried by floodwater following heavy rain in Aso, Kumamoto prefecture Photograph: Kyodo News/AP

Police search for missing villagers after a mudslide in Minamiaso, Kumamoto prefecture Photograph: AP

A mudslide caused by heavy rain in Aso city, Kumamoto Photograph: Fukuoka Fire Department/EPA

A road is covered in mud in a residential area after heavy rains fell in Kumamoto city Photograph: Jiji Press/AFP/Getty Images

Troops search for missing people in mud in Takeda, Oita prefecture Photograph: AP

Police and troops, top left, watch rescue workers, right, search for missing people in Taketa, Oita prefecture Photograph: AP

Flooded farmlands and roads in Fukuoka prefecture Photograph: Fukuoka Fire Department/EPA

Workers shovel muddy water out of the dining room of a hotel in Aso Photograph: AP

Troops search for missing people in Aso Photograph: Kyodo/Reuters

River banks are covered with mud and wood carried by floodwaters in Taketa, Oita prefecture Photograph: AP

Houses buried by a landslide in Aso Photograph: Kyodo News/AP