A typhoon that pummelled western Japan left at least 20 people dead and more than 50 missing, reports said on Sunday, after swollen rivers swept away buildings and landslides crushed houses.

One of the victims drowned after floodwaters gushed into his car and streets were submerged in scenes that rekindled memories of the March 11 tsunami disaster. Thousands of people were left stranded.

Heavy downpours by Typhoon Talas swamp a residential area in Kiho, central Japan. Credit:AP/Kyodo News

Typhoon Talas, which made landfall on Saturday and is one of the deadliest in recent years, packed gusts of up to 108km/h as it cut across the island of Shikoku and the main island of Honshu.

The government set up an emergency task force as the number of victims looked set to grow and landslides and damaged roads hampered relief efforts.