Japanese rescuers are still searching for more than 50 people missing in the wake of Typhoon Talas. The disaster has left at least 40 people dead and more than 4,000 others stranded.

Wakayama prefecture was the hardest hit region battered by Typhoon Talas. Police from surrounding prefectures flew in rescue helicopters on Tuesday to aid stranded residents with food supplies.

Nine people were killed in Nachi Katsuura, including the daughter of the town's mayor Shinichi Teramoto. His wife is one of 56 people still missing.

He has little time to mourn however, with his priority being to help the town.

Shinichi Teramoto, Mayor of Nachi Katsuura, said, "I have to think about how to help the people of the town deal with this disaster. Only after that can I think about my own family. I hope that I can find my wife soon before we bid our daughter farewell."

Nara prefecture also saw record-breaking amounts of rain, with overflowing rivers washing away explosives and their detonators. The waters have receded since the storm, but the full extent of damage is still being investigated.

Talas made landfall in Japan on Saturday and swept back out to sea early on Sunday morning. It weakened into a tropical storm, lingering over regions of western Japan and hammering villages with heavy rains for 48 hours.

The damage caused by Talas is the worst since Typhoon Tokage killed a total of 98 people in October 2004.

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