Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
Tragic Impact of Unprecedented Rains in Japan One Dead and Seven Missing
In the coastal region of Ishikawa, northern Japan, one person has lost their life and seven others are reported missing due to "unprecedented" rainfall that has resulted in severe floods and landslides. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its highest "life threatening" alert for the area, anticipating that torrential rains will continue until midday Sunday.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of over 40,000 residents across four cities as at least a dozen rivers have overflowed. Reports indicate that two individuals are believed to have been swept away by powerful river currents, while an additional four workers involved in road repairs after a deadly earthquake on New Year’s Day are also unaccounted for.
Wajima recorded more than 120 mm (4.7 inches) of rain on Saturday morning, marking the heaviest downpour in the region since records began. JMA forecaster Sugimoto Satoshi warned residents of the imminent danger, stating, "This level of downpours has never been experienced in this region before. Residents must secure their safety immediately."
Footage showed entire streets in Wajima submerged. Government official Koji Yamamoto reported that 60 workers, engaged in restoring roads impacted by the earthquake, were hit by a landslide on Saturday morning. Despite requests for safety checks, four individuals remain unreachable. Rescue teams have faced challenges accessing affected areas due to landslides.
Additionally, two individuals have sustained serious injuries, and approximately 6,000 households are without power, with many others lacking running water. The cities of Wajima and Suzu, along with the town of Noto, have ordered around 44,000 residents to evacuate to shelters in Ishikawa prefecture. Another 16,000 residents in the neighboring Niigata and Yamagata prefectures have also received evacuation orders.
Wajima and Suzu were among the hardest hit areas by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day that resulted in at least 236 fatalities. The region is still in recovery from the devastation, which included collapsed buildings, destroyed roads, and significant fires. Japan has increasingly faced severe rainfall events in recent years, leading to floods and landslides that have claimed lives and caused widespread damage.
