Record rainfall triggers deadly floods and landslides in Japan
Floods and human tragedies are not exclusive to Central Europe. In the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa, record rainfall has caused flooding and landslides, leading to fatalities. The cities most affected were Wajima and Suzu, still reeling from a devastating earthquake on January 1.
7:24 AM EDT, September 23, 2024
Record rainfall led to tragic consequences in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, where six people died, and ten are missing. The floods and landslides resulted from intense rainfall that began on Saturday and lasted until midday Monday local time (Sunday evening ET).
In one day, Wajima and Suzu received twice the monthly average for rainfall in September. The intense downpour caused numerous rivers to overflow, cutting off roads and isolating over a hundred towns in the region. Landslides left two people dead near a tunnel in Wajima, including a road worker performing repairs. Among the fatalities were elderly men and a woman, as confirmed by local authorities.
The situation is even more dramatic because water flooded temporary homes built for people who lost their homes in the earthquake earlier this year.
Compounding the hardship, the region is still grappling with the aftermath of the 7.5 magnitude earthquake in January, which killed at least 236 people. Many buildings were destroyed, and a fire further complicated the situation.
Tens of thousands of evacuated people
At the beginning of the week, the Hokuriku Electric Power Company reported that around 4,000 households in Ishikawa Prefecture were without power. Additionally, over the weekend, more than 40,000 residents were evacuated from four cities, including Wajima, Suzu, and the town of Noto. The crisis extended to Niigata and Yamagata prefectures, where an additional 16,000 people were evacuated.
Authorities continue to appeal for caution and preparedness for potential further threats, related to both the weather and the instability of the terrain.
