Key Takeaways:
• One person was reported dead and several others missing following heavy rain in Japan’s Noto region.
• The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued heavy rain warnings in several cities within the Ishikawa prefecture.
• By Saturday afternoon, 16 rivers breached their banks in Ishikawa, causing flooding and landslides.
• The Chief Cabinet Secretary expressed concern for residents in the area, urging them to heed weather forecasts and evacuation notices.
• Approximately 6,500 homes experienced power outages, and many roads were blocked due to flooding.
Floods and Landslides on Rise
On Saturday, heavy rain battered the northcentral region of Noto in Japan, instigating landslides, flooding, and tragically leading to the death of at least one individual, while others remain unaccounted for. The heavy rainfall led to the swelling of rivers that consequently overflowed, inundating houses and leaving some residents stranded. This latest natural disaster hits as the region is still grappling with the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that struck on January 1.
Maximum Rainfall Alert Issued
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has signaled the maximum level of heavy rainfall warnings across several cities in the Ishikawa prefecture, massively impacting cities like Suzu and Wajima on the northern coast of the Noto peninsula. In Suzu, one person was confirmed dead, and another is missing, presumably swept to an unknown fate by the floodwaters. One other individual went missing in the nearby town of Noto.
Losses at Wajima Construction Site
In Wajima, a construction site bore the brunt of a landslide, leaving four people missing. They were part of a team of 60 construction workers tasked to repair a tunnel damaged by the January quake. In a different part of the city, another person has gone missing due to floodwaters. Local news outlet NHK further reported that no injuries resulted from a Wajima coastal area, where a wooden house was skewed and torn apparently by a separate landslide.
Landslide Injuries in Noto
In Noto town, two individuals suffered serious injuries when a landslide struck while they were visiting their earthquake-damaged home. The Ministry of Land and Infrastructure reported that a staggering 16 rivers in Ishikawa breached their banks by Saturday afternoon, causing widespread destruction and leaving residents in fear of further landslides and building damage.
Appeals for Caution and Evacuations
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi encouraged residents to exercise extreme prudence in light of the grim situation. With official reports predicting up to 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) of rainfall over the next 24 hours, public safety is the government’s priority. Authorities have begun search and rescue operations, with the Self Defense Force dispatched to stranded locations in Ishikawa.
A Downpour of Secondary Effects
As a direct result of the flooding, several roads were blocked by muddy water, disrupting transport. Power company Hokuriku Electric Power Co. added that approximately 6,500 homes were without electricity and many residents were cut off from water supply.
In the Northern prefectures of Niigata and Yamagata, heavy rain posed similar threats, with officials warning of possible flooding and other forms of collateral damage.
Looking Back: The January Quake
Not too long ago, a series of powerful quakes off Japan’s west coast prompted tsunami warnings, damaged homes, instigated fires, and left tens of thousands without power, forcing residents to seek higher ground. This recent downpour is an unfortunate reminder of the damage that Mother Nature can inflict.