At least four people are missing after heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides in south-western Japan.

The Kyushu region is particularly badly affected, local media reported on Monday, citing emergency services.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, firefighters managed to rescue a woman and two children from a car that had been swept away by the floodwaters.

Evacuation orders remained in place for tens of thousands of residents in the afternoon.

In some places, the water was reported to be up to 1 metre high in the streets.

The extreme weather has also caused disruption to transport, with some Shinkansen high-speed bullet train services temporarily suspended.

(dpa/NAN)