As the coastal region of Japan, particularly Ishikawa Prefecture, continues to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day, the area has been dealt another blow: record-breaking rainfall. The heavy downpour, described as the worst the region has ever witnessed, has caused catastrophic flooding and landslides, leaving the area in complete shambles.
Japan’s weather agency issued its highest emergency warning for Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday, urging residents to take extreme precautions. The torrential rain caused around 16 rivers in the area to overflow their banks, resulting in tragic consequences. At least six people lost their lives in the heavy rains. Several others remain missing, and tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes due to flash floods.
The impact of the landslides was particularly severe. One person lost their life in the city of Suzu when their home was engulfed by a landslide. Two bodies were found near a tunnel in the city of Wajima, also attributed to a landslide. Additionally, two women were found dead in a house affected by landslides, and a man was pulled from a river, confirming another fatality.
The intense storms also caused widespread power outages, affecting over 6,200 homes. The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported that four workers engaged in earthquake restoration efforts in Wajima city went missing after being caught in a landslide.
This latest disaster comes on top of the immense devastation caused by the January 1 earthquake. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake jolted the Noto peninsula, claiming hundreds of lives and destroying countless homes and buildings. The recent storms have further compounded the suffering of residents who were already struggling to rebuild their lives after the earthquake.
The temporary housing set up for those who lost their homes in the quake was tragically surrounded by several feet of muddy floodwater over the weekend. The earthquake had already destabilized the soil in the region, making it more susceptible to landslides. The heavy rains served as the final blow.
By the end of the weekend, authorities managed to regain control of the situation. On Sunday, the weather agency downgraded its warning level but advised residents to remain vigilant. The ongoing recovery efforts in Ishikawa Prefecture are a testament to the resilience of the Japanese people. However, the region faces a long and challenging path to rebuild and restore what was lost.
