日本官员说，广岛郊区发生山体滑坡，几十所房屋被泥土掩埋，造成至少27人死亡，10人失踪。

星期三的电视画面显示，当地居民和救援人员在房屋废墟中寻找生还者。

日本首相安倍晋三派遣数百名军人赶赴灾区，协助救援工作。

一名本地居民说，他半夜醒来，发现房子已经进水，于是匆忙驾车离开住所。

该地区在24小时内降雨约24毫米，大约相当于一个月的降雨量，使得已经受到最近暴雨影响的山体发生松动。

气象预报说，未来还会有降雨，该地区将面临洪水和滑坡双重危险。

在人口密集的日本，很多住宅建在很陡的山坡附近，因此山体滑坡是一个严重威胁。

Japanese officials say at least 27 people were killed and 10 are missing after landslides buried dozens of houses in the outskirts of Hiroshima.

Television footage on Wednesday showed residents and rescue workers searching through the rubble of suburban homes for survivors.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered several hundred soldiers to the area to help with rescue efforts.

The area received about 24 millimeters, or about a month's worth, of rain within a 24-hour period, loosening hills already soaked by recent storms.

Forecasters warn that more rain is expected, saying there is a continued risk of flooding and landslides.

Landslides pose a major risk in crowded Japan, where many homes are built on or near steep slopes.