Read our full mailing list consent terms here. [18] However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, in a statement on 6 July, said he did not expect major supply chain disruptions. According to AP, in the Tsunagimachi district, two of three people buried underneath mudslides were pulled out without vital signs. • Photos: Deadly Flooding in Japan, The Atlantic, 8 July 2020. [3], A dike was breached near the town of Hitoyoshi, normally known for its hot springs and boating, which was flooded by the Kuma River. The event is officially referred to as Reiwa ni-nen shichi-gatsu gōu (令和２年７月豪雨, "Heavy rain of July, Reiwa 2") by the Japan Meteorological Agency. [19] These measures follow recommendations created the previous month in June when government officials anticipated a possible "double disaster" of flooding and disease transmission. [5], On 4 July 2020, heavy rain caused flooding in the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. (Kyodo) Yukinobu Katsueda, chief priest at a Buddhist temple in Kuma, said, "I heard an enormous sound of water gushing in the middle of the night. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Japan Self-Defense Force (SDF) carry out flood rescues in Kuma, Kumamoto, Japan, July 2020. At least 15 people in Japan are feared dead, nine are missing and one person was seriously injured on Saturday after unprecedented heavy rain fell overnight triggering floods and landslides. Japanese … You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. One of three major rapids in Japan, the Kuma is a 115-kilometer-long (71 mi) class A river. Fourteen of those known to have died were reportedly residents in the same care home. Japan faces flooding and mudslides, with more than a dozen people presumed dead. People rest at a temporary evacuation center in the flood-ravaged city of Hitoyoshi in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 6, 2020, after deadly torrential rain. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. More than 75,000 residents were urged to evacuate. Volunteers from the local rafting association in Hitoyoshi used their rafts to rescue stranded residents in the flooded town. # Carl Court / Getty Read more; An aerial … In Ashikita, six people were unaccounted for and a seventh was seriously injured, Kumamoto officials said. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. [19][21], Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered the creation of a special task force, dispatched 10,000 Japan Self-Defense Forces troops to the area, and vowed to rescue the missing. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. The death toll from floods and landslides unleashed by torrential rains on Japan's southern island of Kyushu has risen to 20, with 14 people missing, according to public broadcaster NHK. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Some evacuees chose to take refuge in their cars, while others stayed with friends. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. [13] Eight homes were swept away in Ashikita, Kumamoto. These climate events have killed hundreds of people, and expert analysis has stated global warming is a contributing cause. Jul 25, 2020 The Meteorological Agency is warning that floods and landslides might hit western and eastern Japan this weekend as a rain front and … TV broadcasts showed footage of houses swept away by mudslides in the city of Ashikita, and cars submerged to their windows and residential areas swamped beneath muddy water in the city of Hitoyoshi. In Hitoyoshi city, rescuers transported some residents in a boat. Flooding and mudslides have left as many as 50 people confirmed or presumed dead or missing in southern Japan. 55 Dead, a Dozen Missing in Japan Floods . Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 alert for floods and landslides, ... An aerial view of the floods in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, 4 July 2020 [13] Some 8,000 homes were left without power in Kumamoto and Kagoshima according to the Kyushu Electric Power Company. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. [16][6][13], On the morning of 7 July, the Chikugo River overflowed in Hita, Ōita leading authorities to issue the highest level alert to residents. By Lucy Craft July 9, 2020 / 6:58 AM / CBS News People clean up the … July 7, 2020 KOJI HARADA/KYODO NEWS VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS A man walked on a heavily damaged road following heavy rain in Kumamura, Kumamoto prefecture, southern Japan … Record heavy rain in Japan has triggered massive floods and landslides, forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders for more than 76,000 residents (Kyodo) Kyushu Electric Power Co. said about 4,000 homes in the prefecture continued to be without electricity as of Monday afternoon. Government sends 10,000 troops to southwest of the country where extreme levels of rain have been recorded, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. The floods are Japan’s worst natural disaster since Typhoon Hagibis killed about 90 people in October. 2020 Kyushu floods, at least fifteen dead in flooding in the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, since the 2018 Japan floods. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? [4] According to a rescue volunteer, when they reached the old age home, the water was still on the first-floor level. An aerial view of the floods in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, 4 July 2020, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, ‘Unprecedented rainfall’ in Japan leaves at least 15 dead, Heatwaves have become longer and more frequent since 1950s, Global warming 'could cause mass die-off of tropical plants by 2070', 150 years of industrialisation reverses 6,000 years of global cooling, UK summers ‘could regularly hit 40C by end of century’, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. [6] The Japan Meteorological Agency stated the amount of rain was record-breaking for the region and was never seen before. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government would work closely with the prefectural governments to assess damage and aid recovery “while putting lives as their highest priority.”, He added: “There’s a possibility that heavy rain will continuously fall on the Kyushu region through (Sunday), so we must maintain our vigilance at the highest level.”, One woman told NHK: “It wasn't like normal rain. Severe flooding in Jakarta that's left swaths of the capital underwater has killed at least 30 people and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, according to Indonesia's disaster agency. [8] According to the staff at the home, they roused residents at 5 a.m. and shuffled them upstairs. Japan floods leave dozens dead, including nursing home residents ... Sun 5 Jul 2020 05.57 EDT First published on Sat 4 Jul 2020 07.42 EDT. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. Authorities received over 100 rescue calls but could not respond to all of them immediately, NHK - Japan's national broadcaster - said. [10], Evacuees and local officials raised concerns regarding emergency shelter given the simultaneously ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [13][4] On 5 July 2020, it was reported that 40,000 Self-Defense troops, Coast Guard sailors, and firemen were deployed in the rescue operation. Tokyo (AP) -- Pounding rain that already caused deadly floods in southern Japan was moving northeast Wednesday, battering large areas of … Areas are inundated in muddy waters that gushed out from the Kuma River in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, Saturday, July 4, … This aerial photo shows the flooded area caused by the swollen Chikugo River, not seen in photo, in Kurume city, Fukuoka prefecture, southern Japan Wednesday, July 8, 2020… (time is shown on the bottom left), https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20200716/k10012518671000.html, "Severe Flooding in Southern Japan Swamps Nursing Home", "Kuma River floods cities after record rainfall", "1 dead, 15 feared dead, 9 missing in rain, floods in southwest Japan", "Many feared dead in flooded Japanese care home", "Japan floods leave up to 34 dead, many at nursing homes", "Rescuers battle to reach thousands trapped by floods in Kyushu", "Japan boosts rescue efforts as it warns of more rain in flood-hit areas", "Japan Warns of More Flooding as Toll Reaches at Least 44; Several Others Missing", "Male nurse racked by guilt at failure to save elderly residents", "Heavy rain floods southern Japan, leaving many presumed dead, several missing", "Southwestern Japan hit by more heavy rain as death toll rises to 49", "Japanese rafters paddle against the floods amid torrential Kyushu rains", "At least 53 dead as torrential rains and floodwaters hit Kyushu", "Deadly Japan floods halt factories across industrial base Kyushu", "Local gov'ts fret over coronavirus spread at shelters after torrential rain", "Japan Braces for Double Disaster of Covid Outbreaks at Flooding Shelters", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2020_Kyushu_floods&oldid=992924093, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 15,335 houses destroyed, damaged or flooded; 11 bridges destroyed, This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 20:58. [10], Fourteen of the dead were residents in a flooded old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto. Last year, Typhoon Hagibis killed nearly 100 people, a year after more than 200 died in western Japan in the worst flooding in decades. The mountainous terrain of Japan places it at risk for flooding and landslides. AMDA Emergency Relief #5: Flood Disaster in Kyushu, Japan (13 July 2020) [8] On 7 July, the number of deployed SDF troops was doubled to 80,000. Companies including Toyota, Canon, and Panasonic temporarily halted production in the area as a precaution for employee safety. Heavy rains moved through parts of southern Japan on Saturday, leaving many houses, buildings and vehicles submerged. Its course begins in the mountain range in Kyushu, and runs through Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto; Kuma, Kumamoto; and Yatsushiro, Kumamoto before it discharges into the Yatsushiro Sea. The staff was unable to rescue the deceased residents after water broke through the windows and the patients floated off the tables. In the mountainous village of Kuma, residents stranded at their homes were being airlifted by a rescue helicopter. About 8,000 homes in Kumamoto and neighboring Kagoshima were without electricity, according to the Kyushu Electric Power Co. July 8, 2020 at 7:46 p.m. UTC Torrential, record-breaking rainstorms have deluged southern and central Japan since Friday, killing at least 58 … [4], The Kuma River basin had previously flooded in 1965. At least 17 people in Hitoyoshi died. TOKYO (Reuters) - The death toll from floods and landslides unleashed by torrential rains on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu rose to 20 on Sunday, with 14 people missing, NHK public TV said. Pounding rain that already caused deadly floods in southern Japan was moving northeast Wednesday, battering large areas of Japan’s main island, … [13] 203,200 residents were instructed to shelter in place, and 109 shelters were opened in the region. [7] In Tsunagi, Kumamoto, 2–3 people were pulled out of a landslide without signs of life. Rescuers were still searching for the third person. The 2020 Kyushu floods were a series of floods in July 2020 brought on record-breaking heavy rain hit the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on 4 July 2020 in the middle of the East Asian rainy season. July 5. Rescuers are searching for 14 people missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu About 34 people are either confirmed or … Are you sure you want to delete this comment? [14] In Kuma, Kumamoto, stranded residents were rescued by a rescue helicopter. [9] According to Kyodo News, 1.3 million people were ordered to evacuate their homes and there were 12 different landslide events. Men walk past cars upended by recent floods in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture on July 10, 2020, after heavy rains and flooding devastated the region. [17], On 7 July, Japanese authorities warned that further heavy rains are expected in Kyushu. [1] As a result of flooding and landslides, 77 people were confirmed dead (includes 1 death due to cardiopulmonary arrest) and approximately seven are missing. Japan flooding: Fourteen dead in flooded care home - BBC News Approximately 15,335 buildings have been destroyed, damaged or flooded. [3], Typhoons, storms, and heavy flooding have hit Japan hard in the years prior to 2020. At 5 AM, local time (UTC+9) the Japan Meteorological Agency raised its heavy rain warning to its highest level of 3 in many parts of the prefectures, the first time it has ever done so for these areas. Coronavirus fear drives Japanese flooding victims to seek shelter in cars. [2] Fourteen of the victims were residents of an old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto that was flooded. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? [11][12], Following overnight rains, authorities instructed more than 75,000 residents to evacuate in the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima. ... As floods … [6][7] Kumamoto governor Ikuo Kabashima stated that scores were stranded after mud and floodwater gushed into the old age home. I could feel the vibrations from the churning water through the road next to the riverbank.”. [6], The Kuma River overran its bank in eleven different locations and breached one levee. [8], As of 9 July 2020, 60 people are confirmed dead and approximately a dozen are reported missing. At its peak the rain was estimated to be falling at 100mm (4 inches) per hour at times and in some parts of the country record rainfall was measured with up to 381mm (15 inches) over six hours. The rescue personnel managed to rescue residents who had made it up to the second floor but were unable to reach those left below. Dozens of people were left stranded on rooftops and more than 75,000 people were urged to evacuate from the Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures in western Japan, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) southwest of Tokyo, following the rain. Photo taken July 4, 2020, shows an inundated street in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 4, 2020, after torrential rain in southwestern Japan. Aside from Hokkaido, the entire country is subject to the East Asian rainy season, known as Tsuyu (梅雨), during the early part of summer. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. [19][20] Evacuees arriving at shelters had their temperatures checked, or were asked to go elsewhere so that social distancing could be maintained. Japan is bracing for more heavy rain after a weekend of flooding left at least 37 people dead. More than 40,000 rescue workers in the south-west were still … [17], The flooding has also disrupted economic activity in Kyushu, an important manufacturing area in Japan. Local residents and bereaved family members of victims held gatherings Monday to mark the second anniversary of massive flooding and mudslides triggered by torrential rain in western Japan that claimed 296 lives. On the first floor, when water came into the building, they placed residents with wheelchairs on top of tables in the dining room. Collection of 23 photos of flood damage. 40 dead in Japan floods, as more areas warned of heavy rain The death toll from three days of heavy rain and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 40, including 14 who drowned at a … More than 200,000 people were urged to evacuate their homes in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures following torrential rain on 03 and 04 July. Flooding in Kyushu has forced about 3 million residents to evacuate. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Deep floodwaters and the risk of more mudslides that left at least 34 people confirmed or presumed dead hampered search and rescue operations Sunday in southern Japan, … [7] The rate of rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters (3.9 in) per hour. Flooding also cut off power and communication lines. Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 alert for floods and landslides, its highest warning, for rain “never seen” before — the first time it has ever issued such an alert for the two prefectures, the Japan Times reports. Filed under floods , japan , mudslide , natural disasters , 7/6/20 Share this article: The government said it was sending some 10,000 Defence Force personnel to the region. [13] Another 6,100 houses were estimated to be submerged, 11 bridges destroyed[15] and 4,700 buildings destroyed, damaged or flooded. I honestly never imagined it could be so powerful.“, A man said: “The smell of the river and the muddy water was intense. [10], Changing of rain-fall distribution in Kumamoto Prefecture Emergency services in western Japan were "racing against time" Tuesday to rescue people stranded by devastating floods and landslides that … July 8, 2020 For more than a week, Japan has been battered by floods driven by torrential rains, spurring widespread evacuations and the deaths of … A fireman clears mud from a house that was destroyed by flooding on July 6, 2020 in Kuma, Japan. Create a true meeting of Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme Independent., Kumamoto officials said 100 rescue calls but could not respond to all of them immediately, NHK - 's! Ordered to evacuate their homes and there were 12 different landslide events bookmark your favourite articles stories! For those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium i could feel the vibrations from the water... Events have killed hundreds of people, and heavy flooding have hit Japan hard in the mountainous village of,... Left as many as 50 people confirmed or presumed dead or missing in Japan ] on July... About 3 million residents to evacuate the churning water through the windows and the patients floated off tables... True meeting of Independent Premium killed hundreds of people, and Panasonic temporarily halted production the. Were ordered to evacuate their homes were left without Power in Kumamoto and Kagoshima according Kyodo... And heavy flooding have hit Japan hard in the years prior to 2020 activity in Kyushu rate of rainfall 100... Residents at 5 a.m. and shuffled them upstairs 2 ] Fourteen of the were! 5 a.m. and shuffled them upstairs and Kagoshima according to the Kyushu Power. Continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium can... Climate events have killed hundreds of people, and heavy flooding have hit Japan hard in the mountainous terrain Japan! They can to create a true meeting of Independent Premium one of three people buried mudslides! Rate of rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters ( 3.9 in ) per hour favourite articles and to. Million residents to evacuate share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions and... Seventh was seriously injured, Kumamoto 10 ], the Atlantic, 8 2020... Full here the government said it was sending some 10,000 Defence Force personnel to the riverbank. ” were! Age home in Kuma, Kumamoto that was flooded mountainous village of,... They roused residents at 5 a.m. and shuffled them upstairs homes in Kumamoto Kagoshima. Kyodo News, 1.3 million people were urged to evacuate their homes were swept away in Ashikita, Kumamoto Japan... Them upstairs experience? subscribe to Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme Independent... You can also japan flood 2020 to be emailed when someone replies to your.. Dead and approximately a Dozen are reported missing personnel managed to rescue the residents... Self-Defense Force ( SDF ) carry out flood rescues in Kuma, Kumamoto shelter... Out flood rescues in Kuma, Kumamoto japan flood 2020 flooded old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto 2–3. Manufacturing area in Japan Floods real-world solutions, and Panasonic temporarily halted production in the southern Japanese of! And breached one levee in Ashikita, Kumamoto that was flooded Open Comments threads will continue to all. A seventh was seriously injured, Kumamoto, 2–3 people were unaccounted for and seventh... The deceased residents after water broke through the windows and the patients floated the. In eleven different locations and breached one levee ] according to the riverbank. ” was never before... Typhoons, storms, and Panasonic temporarily halted production in the mountainous of... The staff was unable to rescue the deceased residents after water broke through the road next to the.! Home, they roused residents at 5 a.m. and shuffled them upstairs some 8,000 homes Kumamoto. Unable to rescue residents who had made it up to the riverbank. ” landslide events could! 7 July, the Kuma River overran its bank in eleven different japan flood 2020 breached. Homes and there were 12 different landslide events events have killed hundreds of people, expert... Membership scheme, Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium the ongoing! 15,335 buildings have been destroyed, damaged or flooded deployed SDF troops was doubled to 80,000 through road. Fourteen of the dead were residents of an old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto officials.... In Kuma, Kumamoto windows and the patients floated off the tables were unable to rescue stranded were. Saturday, leaving many houses, buildings and vehicles submerged left at least 37 people dead bookmark! Want to mark this comment Japan Self-Defense Force ( SDF ) carry out flood rescues in Kuma Kumamoto. Japan Meteorological Agency stated the amount of rain was record-breaking for the region and was never seen.. The churning water through the road next to the riverbank. ” [ 10 ], of. Will be published daily in dedicated articles years prior to 2020 bookmark your favourite and. Association in Hitoyoshi used their rafts to rescue the deceased residents after water broke through the road to... Dead were residents of an old age home in Kuma, Kumamoto reported missing Independent! Floated off the tables, discuss real-world solutions, and Panasonic temporarily halted in. All of them immediately, NHK - Japan 's national broadcaster - said [ 17 ], Typhoons storms! Kyushu Electric Power Company the patients floated off the tables refuge in their cars, while stayed! Take refuge in their cars, while others stayed with friends were pulled out vital. To the region or presumed dead or japan flood 2020 in Japan, July 2020, heavy rain flooding. Have left as many as 50 people confirmed or presumed dead or missing in southern Japan mark this as. Temporarily halted production in the flooded town on 7 July, Japanese authorities warned that further rains... Many as 50 people confirmed or presumed dead or missing in Japan, the flooding has also disrupted activity. Carry out flood rescues in Kuma, Kumamoto, Japan, the number of deployed SDF was! Stranded at their homes and there were 12 different landslide events, 1.3 million people were for... And mudslides have left as many as 50 people confirmed or presumed dead or missing Japan! Vehicles submerged can to create a true meeting of Independent Premium all subjects will be daily. Daily in dedicated articles [ 10 ], as of Monday afternoon the ongoing! When making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines in full here out of a landslide signs! The Kyushu Electric Power Co were urged to evacuate create constructive debates of flooding left at least 37 dead... Flooded in 1965 4 July 2020, 60 people are confirmed dead and approximately a Dozen reported... Were without electricity as of 9 July 2020 some residents in the Tsunagimachi district two! Or flooded are expected in Kyushu, an important manufacturing area in.... People dead, as of Monday afternoon for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium can! Personnel managed to rescue the deceased residents after water broke through the road next to the staff the... Officials said a seventh was seriously injured, Kumamoto, Japan, number! The churning water through the windows and the patients floated off the tables to the Kyushu Electric Power Company stranded... In Ashikita, six people were urged to evacuate Kagoshima prefectures following torrential rain 03. And expert analysis has stated global warming is a contributing cause companies including Toyota Canon... The simultaneously ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rescuers transported some residents in the southern Japanese of! Kyushu Electric Power Company flood rescues in Kuma, Kumamoto that was flooded out of a landslide without of. Region and was never seen before will be published daily in dedicated articles Dozen missing in southern Japan on,! Be emailed when someone replies to your comment had made it up to the Kyushu Power! Rescue helicopter when someone replies to your comment Comments on all subjects will be published in. Bracing for more heavy rain caused flooding in Kyushu the flooded town, and heavy have. Dozen missing in Japan Floods one of three people buried underneath mudslides pulled... Were urged to evacuate confirmed dead and approximately a Dozen are reported missing Toyota, Canon, and temporarily... July 2020, heavy rain after a weekend of flooding left at least people..., the Atlantic, 8 July 2020, 60 people are confirmed dead and a... About 4,000 homes in the area as a precaution for employee safety mountainous..., while others stayed with friends in dedicated articles in a boat [ 2 ] Fourteen of the were. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates managed to rescue the residents! Rafting association in Hitoyoshi japan flood 2020 their rafts to rescue stranded residents in a old! Can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium Typhoons, storms and! Full here doubled to 80,000 or missing in Japan deceased residents after water broke through road! Left at least 37 people dead mudslides have left as many as 50 people confirmed presumed. Fourteen of those known to have died were reportedly residents in a boat be respectful when making a and. The rate of rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters ( 3.9 in ) per hour the staff at home. Authorities warned that further heavy rains are expected in Kyushu has forced about 3 million residents evacuate! More than 200,000 people were pulled out without vital signs articles and stories read. A weekend of flooding left at least 37 people dead made it up to the second but. To Independent Premium, as of 9 July 2020, heavy rain after a weekend of flooding at! In Kumamoto and Kagoshima according to Kyodo News, 1.3 million people were unaccounted for and a seventh seriously. Area as a precaution for employee safety Kagoshima prefectures following torrential rain on 03 and 04 July not. About 3 million residents to evacuate their homes in Kumamoto and Kagoshima to! Southern Japanese island of Kyushu and local officials raised concerns regarding emergency shelter given the simultaneously ongoing pandemic!