People in the northern prefecture of Aomori are struggling to recover from the devastation caused by torrential rains earlier this month.

One of the areas hardest-hit is the Fujishima district of the town of Sotogahama. Heavy rains on August 3 caused large amounts of mud to flow into houses after a river was blocked by driftwood from upstream.

On Sunday, eight people ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s lent residents a helping hand. They had been recruited in the prefecture by the town's social welfare council.

They used shovels to remove the mud that had accumulated inside the houses, and carried it outside.

One volunteer in his 20s who was visiting the town from Misawa City during the Obon holiday period said he decided to help, as he had often ridden by the district on his motorcycle.

He added that he wants the town to be restored to its former state, or even better.

A man in his 60s said he came from Aomori City after hearing about the damage to the town, which he often visited.

He said he hopes to come back again to help, as the damage was worse than he had expected.

The municipal social welfare council plans to continue calling on people in the prefecture to help out until around the end of this month.