The annual rainy season has started in Kyushu, and it's posing a tremendous threat to the residents of Kumamoto whose houses were damaged by April's earthquakes.

The major quake that hit April 14, registering magnitude 7.3, shattered roof tiles on the renowned Kumamoto Castle and severely damaged the roofs of many houses in the city.

Construction companies are deluged with repair orders, so homeowners have no choice but to wait.

"So far it's OK, but I'm worried there will be more leaks if it rains harder," said Manabu Iwasaki, 82. His house in Higashi Ward is partially covered by a blue plastic tarp to avoid rain getting in.

Housing companies are also in a dilemma. Although they want to speed up repair work to serve the waiting customers, shortages of workers and materials have become major obstacles.

According to an industry group of kawara roof tile makers, the number of repair orders has run into the several hundreds. Although the group is asking companies in other prefectures for help, these incoming workers are having a tough time finding places to stay, officials said.

Meanwhile, people who left their homes after the quakes started moving into temporary housing Sunday.

There are still 7,000 evacuees in Kumamoto Prefecture, but the planned construction of 4,600 temporary units is in danger of falling behind schedule because of the arrival of the rainy season and because local governments are having trouble securing enough land.

As of Sunday, 90 units in the town of Kosa had been offered to evacuees, while another 2,600 are scheduled to be completed across Kumamoto by mid-July.

The Kumamoto Prefectural Government will also make some 3,600 rental units available for those who cannot return to their homes.