Janice R. Andrews
Central Japan’s Noto Peninsula has been hit by devastating floods and landslides following unprecedented rainfall. The disaster has claimed at least one life, with 11 people reported missing. Rescue operations are underway in Ishikawa prefecture, concentrating on the peninsula that was previously impacted by a major earthquake earlier this year.
The deluge, which began on Saturday, has caused extensive damage, submerging roads and burying homes in mud. Wajima town recorded over 540 millimeters of rain in just 72 hours, resulting in road blockages and significant destruction. Thousands of residents are without power and water due to damaged infrastructure.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of 110,000 people in Ishikawa, including residents of Wajima, Suzu, and Noto. An additional 17,300 residents in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures have also been ordered to evacuate. The disaster has affected eight temporary shelters housing those displaced by the New Year’s Day 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which killed over 370 people.
Despite the rain subsiding, Japan’s weather agency continues to warn residents of potential dangers from unstable ground and debris. The region faces significant challenges in recovery efforts, with widespread power outages and damaged infrastructure.
This dual disaster of earthquake damage and severe flooding has severely impacted local industries and daily life, with long-term consequences yet to be determined.
