Record rainfall in Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture has led to severe floods and landslides, killing six people and leaving 10 others missing. The heavy rain began on Saturday and lasted until noon on Monday, affecting areas like the cities of Wajima and Suzu, which were still recovering from a deadly earthquake that struck earlier in January.
The torrential downpour in just two days resulted in more than double the typical amount of September rainfall, triggering widespread damage. Numerous rivers overflowed, cutting off road access and isolating over 100 communities across the prefecture.
Among the casualties were two people found near a landslide-hit tunnel in Wajima, one of whom was a construction worker repairing roads. Other victims included two elderly men and an elderly woman, according to local reports.
Japan’s meteorological agency had issued its highest alert for the area on Saturday, warning of life-threatening conditions, but downgraded it to a regular warning by Sunday. However, authorities cautioned residents to remain vigilant as further rain was expected until Monday.
Record Rainfall Triggers Deadly Floods and Landslides in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture, Compounding Earthquake Recovery
The floods have severely impacted the region, which was already reeling from a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day, killing at least 236 people and destroying homes and infrastructure.
Temporary housing, set up for those who had lost their homes in the earthquake, was inundated by floodwaters. Images aired on national television showed entire streets in Wajima submerged, highlighting the severity of the ongoing disaster.
The extreme weather has also caused widespread power outages, with approximately 4,000 households left without electricity. Hokuriku Electric Power Company confirmed the outages, further complicating recovery efforts in the region. In addition to power cuts, over 40,000 residents across four cities in Ishikawa were evacuated over the weekend, with emergency measures enacted to protect vulnerable communities.
The impact of the floods extended beyond Ishikawa, with another 16,000 residents in Niigata and Yamagata prefectures being urged to evacuate as the situation worsened.
Authorities continue to assess the damage and search for those still missing as recovery efforts are hindered by ongoing weather concerns. The region faces a long road to recovery, as it grapples with the aftermath of both a deadly earthquake and this recent weather-related disaster.
