Heavy rain, landslides and floods in Japan leave 1 person dead and several others missing
PBS NewsHourSEP 20 2024
After heavy rain caused flooding and landslides along the Ishikawa region on the Sea of Japan, which is still recovering from the severe earthquake in January, at least six people have died and ten more are missing.
On Saturday, Suzu and Wajima on the northern shore of the Noto peninsula were among numerous Ishikawa prefecture cities under the highest notice for heavy rain from the Japan Meteorological Agency. The service lowered the heavy rain signal but maintained landslide and flooding warnings.Suzu and Wajima on the northern shore of the Noto peninsula were among numerous Ishikawa cities under the highest notice for heavy rain from the Japan Meteorological Agency. It has lowered the heavy rain signal but maintained landslide and flooding warnings.
Intense rain started on Saturday; in the course of 72 hours, the city of Wajima reported more than 21 inches (540 millimeters) of rain, the most since comparable data was available. Flooding occurred in the emergency housing for January 1 earthquake victims.Intense rain, which began Saturday and dropped more than 540 millimeters (21 inches) of rain in Wajima over 72 hours, was most in recorded history. Flooding also occurred in the emergency housing for January 1 earthquake victims.
Thanks to climate change, Japan washas recentlybeen hit bywith Typhoonmultiple Shanshanrecord-breaking natural disasters this year, whichfrom wasTyphoon oneShanshan ofin theAugust hardestto suchthis stormsmost inrecent decadesflooding. Climate change exacerbates tropical storms, which become more violent as sea temperatures rise. Extremely powerful winds, torrential rainfall, and storm surges distinguish these typhoons, frequently inflicting significant damage and flooding, as is currently occurring in Japan's Ishikawa region.
For Japan, which experiences heat waves, typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis annually, preparation is key. Japan is disaster-resilient and more equipped than most other nations. The nation's preparedness capabilities are world-renowned and its disaster management systems are well equipped to handle climate-catalyzed and other types of hazards alike.