Japan – Floods and Landslides Leave 80 Dead, 28 Missing

Floods and landslides in Japan have killed at least 80 people and left 28 people missing, according to the country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA).

Torrential rain in the wake of Typhoon Prapiroon prompted authorities to issue an initial 160,000 evacuation notices on 06 July, 2018.

Since then the torrential rainfall has triggered floods and landslides that have affected 2 million people, with 1.5 million people on evacuation notice. Fatalities have been reported in 11 prefectures.

Rivers overflowed after unprecedented rainfall, causing widespread flooding. Military boats and helicopters were used to rescue people trapped in their homes and on rooftops.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a statement that around 54,000 members of the Self-Defense Forces, police, firefighters, and the Japan Coast Guard have been working around the clock to conduct urgent rescue operations. The Prime Minister said that “more than 20,000 people are spending an uneasy time in shelters.”

“The climate continues to be unstable, with the designated heavy rain emergency warnings issued for Gifu Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, and Kochi Prefecture. I ask that the public continue to pay close attention to evacuation and weather information released by each municipality and meteorological station and take measures to ensure safety, including early evacuations,” the Prime Minister added.

According to FDMA figures of 09 July, 40 deaths occurred in Hiroshima Prefecture, 21 in Ehime, 5 in Okayama and 3 each in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka. Other fatalities were in Gifu (1), Shiga (1), Kyoto (1), Hyōgo (2), Kochi (1) and Kagoshima (2). At least 28 people are still missing, including 16 in Hiroshima. Over 100 people have been injured, 24 of them seriously.

At least 40 homes have been completely destroyed and further 8,000 homes damaged. Around 2,500 of that figure are in Fukuoka, over 1,000 in Ehime, and around 1,500 in Hiroshima.

Meanwhile further severe weather is threatening the country as Tropical Cyclone Maria moves northwest over the Philippine Sea. Maria is expected to head toward the Okinawa islands in Japan, possibly reaching Miyako island on 10 July.

Maria is also likely to affect parts of Taiwan and Fujian and Zhejiang provinces in eastern China over the coming days.

Flood and landslide rescues in Hiroshima, Japan, July 2018. Photo: Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Flood and landslide rescues in Hiroshima, Japan, July 2018. Photo: Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Floods in Ehime, Japan, July 2018. Photo: Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Floods in Japan, July 2018. Photo: Fire and Disaster Management Agency
Floods in Hiroshima, Japan, July 2018. Photo: Fire and Disaster Management Agency

Flood Summary

Last updated: July 10, 2018
Event
Japan, July 2018
Date
July 5, 2018
Type
Flash flood, Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Hiroshima
B - Yamaguchi
C - Fukuoka
D - Gifu
E - Shiga
F - Kyoto
G - Hyōgo
H - Kochi
I - Kagoshima

Magnitude

Rainfall level
384 mm in 24 hours
Sukumo - July 7 to July 8, 2018
All rainfall figures via Ogimet
Rainfall level
153 mm in 24 hours
Akune - July 7 to July 8, 2018
Rainfall level
132 mm in 24 hours
Hitoyoshi - July 7 to July 8, 2018
Rainfall level
274 mm in 24 hours
Kure - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
242 mm in 24 hours
Maizuru - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
226 mm in 24 hours
Tsuyama - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
225 mm in 24 hours
Akune - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
218 mm in 24 hours
Hiroshima - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
218 mm in 24 hours
Hita - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
210 mm in 24 hours
Toyooka - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
208 mm in 24 hours
Fukuyama - July 6 to July 7, 2018
Rainfall level
335 mm in 24 hours
Wakayama - July 5 to July 6, 2018
Rainfall level
314 mm in 24 hours
Iizuka - July 5 to July 6, 2018
Rainfall level
270 mm in 24 hours
Sasebo - July 5 to July 6, 2018
Rainfall level
261 mm in 24 hours
Fukuoka - July 5 to July 6, 2018
Rainfall level
221 mm in 24 hours
Kobe - July 5 to July 6, 2018
Rainfall level
205 mm in 24 hours
Unzendake - July 5 to July 6, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
128 people
July 6 to July 9, 2018
According to FDMA figures of 09 July there were 80 fatalities: 40 deaths in Hiroshima Prefecture, 21 in Ehime, 5 in Okayama and 3 each in Yamaguchi and Fukuoka. Other fatalities were in Gifu (1), Shiga (1), Kyoto (1), Hyōgo (2), Kochi (1) and Kagoshima (2). By 10 July this figures had increased to 128.
Buildings destroyed
347 buildings
July 6 to July 10, 2018
Also 9,868 homes damaged