Kobe, Japan—Rescue workers found the body of a delivery worker in a river in Hyogo Prefecture earlier today. Heavy rain pushed water levels over the banks early this morning. A supervisor at the local news agency reported the man missing after he failed to return from his route.

The search began at 5:00 AM. Police focused their efforts on the banks of the tributary near a bridge where witnesses last saw the delivery motorbike. Recent storms turned the river into a dangerous torrent.

Rainfall in the area reached sixty millimeters per hour overnight. The surge carried significant debris and mud into the channel. Search teams used drones to scan the banks as the water level slowly receded throughout the morning.

Divers spotted a submerged object matching the description of the man's vehicle at 9:30 AM. They recovered the body approximately two hundred meters downstream from the initial point of contact. The victim was still wearing his delivery uniform.

Local authorities have issued flood warnings for the surrounding districts as the rain continues to fall. Residents living near low-lying areas have been told to prepare for potential evacuations. The river remains well above its seasonal average.

Police are gathering evidence to determine if the man lost control of his bike on the slick road before entering the water. The investigation into the exact circumstances remains active. They are also checking nearby CCTV feeds.

Roads leading to the river remain closed to all civilian traffic. Heavy equipment is currently on standby to clear debris from the bridge supports. This blockage caused significant water backup during the peak of the storm.

The regional government office has deployed extra staff to monitor other high-risk zones across the prefecture. They are currently assessing damage to critical infrastructure. Officials will maintain the current safety protocols until the weather stabilizes.