Two individuals lost their lives amidst the heavy rainfall in Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture.
===============================================================
In Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, a devastating rainstorm has wreaked havoc, causing two confirmed deaths and leaving several people missing. Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas, with emergency crews working tirelessly to locate the missing and assist those affected by the flooding and landslides.
The torrential rain, which hit the region from August 12 to 14, resulted in record-breaking rainfall. Tamana City recorded an astonishing 404.5 millimeters of rain in just 12 hours, more than double the average monthly August rainfall. Other towns like Yatsushiro and Kosa also saw over 300 millimeters of rain.
The heavy rain has had a severe impact on the region, causing flooding, landslides, and road collapses. The disaster has disrupted transportation, with bullet train services suspended in the area. Many homes and vehicles were swept away or damaged, and roads collapsed under the heavy rain pressure.
The human toll of this disaster is heartbreaking. Two people, a woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s, have lost their lives due to the landslides and flooding. A family of three was affected by a mudslide near Kosa Town, with two rescued and one still missing. In Misato Town, rescuers saved an elderly man trapped in a collapsed house. Tragically, five individuals remain missing after being swept away by rivers in Kumamoto and Fukuoka Prefectures.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has emphasized a strong commitment to disaster response measures, urging residents to remain vigilant amid continuing heavy rain warnings. Emergency crews, including rescue teams and local authorities, are continuing search and rescue activities in affected municipalities, focusing on areas hit by landslides and floods. Evacuation orders were issued for over 100,000 residents in some areas to mitigate risks. Flood warnings and landslide alerts remain active as the Japan Meteorological Agency monitors the situation.
The people of Kumamoto Prefecture are facing one of its most severe rainfall events in recent history. Our thoughts are with the affected families and communities, and we hope for a swift resolution to this disaster and a quick recovery for all those affected.
[1] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/08/14/national/japan-heavy-rain-kumamoto/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62522299 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/heavy-rain-kills-two-in-japans-kumamoto-prefecture-2022-08-14/ [4] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/japan-kumamoto-heavy-rain-floods-landslides-2567122 [5] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/14/heavy-rain-kills-two-in-japan-s-kumamoto-prefecture
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
- Trump strengthens economic control, drawing inspiration from China's practices
