The Japanese Flood Crisis

Heavy rain leads to the worst weather-related disaster in 36 years

Key Actors:

• Shinzo Abe – Prime Minister of Japan
• Rescue workers and volunteers
  

Last weekend, western Japan was hit with heavy rain that led to landslides, flooding, and submerged floodplains. This was the worst weather-related disaster to happen in Japan since 1982, and as of July 12th Japan’s National Police Agency announced that over 200 people have died, most of which were from the city of Hiroshima and the Okayama prefecture. Many more are missing.

The damage to infrastructure and countless towns, villages, cities, and communities is still being assessed, and hundreds of thousands of homes remain without power or clean water.

Delays and Inconveniences

Over 2 million residents have had to evacuate due to the flood. Japan, with around 127 million residents, is very densely-populated, so relocating these residents have proved to be a challenge.

Evacuation camps have been set up, where residents can receive relief supplies and water. However, the damaged roads have made their transportation difficult and have caused delays, though Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary, says the government is spending 2 billion Yen (approx. 18 million USD) on the hastened delivery of supplies as well as other support for evacuation centres and residents. On top of that, the weather has risen up to 35 degrees, posing a risk for heatstroke as residents stand in line under the sun to collect their supplies.

How It Happened

Because of the country’s mountainous landscape, flash flooding and seasonal typhoons occur every year. Japan has seen especially frequent and heavy rain in the last month. On June 28th, several days of rain caused the Osaka river to break through the embankment and resulted in landslides that blocked roads, and on July 3rd came a typhoon followed by three more days of rain.

Recovering From The Disaster

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has cancelled a planned trip to Europe and the Middle East to visit an evacuation centre in Kurashiki, a city that was severely hit by the flood.

Over 70 000 rescue workers and volunteers, as well as nearly 80 helicopters, are searching the debris for survivors. Residents are also doing all they can; for example, a citizen named Tatsumi Kanamkori cleared dirt from the roads of a neighbourhood to allow for vehicle access. “I’m cleaning out the edges here on the road, because the heavy machinery can’t pick up dirt from the curb because it’ll get stuck,” he said.

One resident had his home spared from the flood, but is still shaken. “It made me feel like you never know when disaster like this could strike,” he said. His words are a representation of the shock this disaster has caused to the population, and are a reminder to always stay prepared.

Statistics

• The flood has caused over 2 million people to evacuate
• As of July 20th, the death toll has reached 200 in addition to the dozens of people still missing
• 2 billion Yen (approx. 17.76 million USD) will be spent to hasten supply delivery and provide help
• Approximately 70 000 rescue workers/volunteers and 80 helicopters are looking for survivors

Sources

Nuga, Haruka. “Shinzo Abe Visits Flood-Hit West Japan as Deaths Cross 176.” Time, Time, 11 July 2018, time.com/5335357/shinzo-abe-japan-flood-dead/.

Reporter, Associated Press. “Japanese PM Shinzo Abe Visits Flood Hit West of Country as Deaths Reach 176.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 11 July 2018, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japan-floods-latest-shinzo-abe-visit-kurashiki-death-toll-a8441681.html.

Taylor, Alan. “Photos: Death Toll Reaches 200 in Devastating Japan Floods.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 12 July 2018, 2:07PM EST, www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/07/photos-death-toll-reaches-200-in-devastating-japan-floods/565055/.

Al Jazeera. “Japan Floods: Why Is the Country Experiencing Record Rainfall?” Israeli–Palestinian Conflict | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 9 July 2018, www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/japan-floods-country-experiencing-record-rainfall-180709091340526.html.