Japanese rescue teams have resumed the search for dozens of people missing after powerful Typhoon Talas ripped through the west of the country.

At least 26 people have been killed by the storm, which made landfall on Shikoku island on Saturday, triggering floods and landslides.

More than 50 people are believed to be missing, according to local media.

Japan is hit by several typhoons each year, but Talas is the most destructive since 2004.

'Saving lives'

Evacuation orders and advisories were issued to 460,000 people as the typhoon swept through the region, dumping heavy rain and bringing winds of up to 108km/h (68mph) on Sunday.

Entire villages have been flooded, with bridges and houses destroyed.

The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says some villages have been cut off and the bad weather in the mountains has made reaching them by helicopter impossible.

At least 17 people were reported killed in worst-hit Wakayama prefecture. One person was killed and seven others were missing after a landslide struck one area in the city.

In nearby Nara prefecture, seven people were reported missing after their homes were swept down a river, AP cited public broadcaster NHK as reporting.

Rescue workers said their efforts were being hampered by damaged roads and communications issues due to downed phone lines.

Talas has now moved over Japan and into the Sea of Japan (East Sea), Japan's Meteorological Agency said.

But it warned that heavy rains and strong winds would continue, raising the threat of floods and landslides.

Japan's new Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who was sworn in on Friday, promised rescue efforts would continue.

"We will do our best in saving lives and finding the missing," Mr Noda told reporters early on Monday.

The government has set up an emergency task force to co-ordinate the rescue effort.

Mr Noda replaced Naoto Kan, who was heavily criticised for Japan's response in the aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami on 11 March which killed thousands.

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