The recent torrential rain that left over 200 people dead has also damaged more than 38,000 homes across Japan, government data showed Thursday.

Damage was reported in 31 of the country's 47 prefectures stretching from Hokkaido, the northernmost main island, to the southwestern area of Kyushu, with about 70 percent of it concentrated in the western prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

As of Thursday, almost two weeks after the nation's worst rain disaster in decades, the death toll was at 223, with about 90 percent of the fatalities in the three prefectures, according to the National Police Agency.

More than 4,500 people are still staying at evacuation centers in 16 prefectures and about 26,000 households remain without water, said the disaster management agency.

Of the damage to housing, the agency said, 2,847 structures were completely destroyed and nearly 1,500 were largely or partially destroyed.

Of the damage to housing, the agency said, 2,847 structures were completely destroyed and nearly 1,500 were largely or partially destroyed.

The Cabinet Office in March revised guidelines for assessing housing damage so that it can swiftly issue certificates for disaster victims to receive public support, allowing the use of aerial images in such assessments.

Some municipalities in the three hardest hit prefectures said they are already assessing the damage based on the new guidelines.

In flood-hit Kurashiki, Okayama, the city government has used photographs taken by residents themselves in its assessment.

Amid concerns about public health, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases warned disaster victims and volunteer workers of the risk of disease.

The institute recommends volunteer workers do not visit an affected areas if they feel unwell, underscoring the risk that they could bring contagious diseases to the area and also urging such workers to get any necessary vaccinations before their visit.