Search teams using boats and helicopters resumed looking for at least 16 people still missing after torrential rain and flooding across Japan this week, while thousands waited to return to their homes as waters slowly receded.

Floods swept houses off their foundations and crushed others under landslides after rivers burst their banks following days of rain. Three people were killed and 27 injured in the floods. In the worst-hit city of Joso, northern Japan, there were still 15 people missing. About 4,800 residents of the city were still waiting to return home.