At least six people have died and 10 others are missing in Japan following heavy rain that caused flooding and landslides in areas still recovering from a recent earthquake. More than 100 communities were cut off by blocked roads after rivers burst their banks. The rainfall reached twice the levels for September in an average year in Wajima and Suzu, leading to the downgrading of the meteorological agency’s warnings. The prime minister has instructed officials to monitor the damage and assist local authorities as the region continues to recover from the earthquake earlier in the year.
In Wajima, two people died near a landslide-hit tunnel and two others were missing after being swept away. Eight people were also unaccounted for in Ishikawa. Heavy rain pounded the region with over 21 inches recorded in Wajima over 72 hours. Damage from the rain left 4,000 households without power and inundated emergency housing built for those affected by the earthquake.
The harsh conditions prompted military personnel and rescue workers to join forces to aid in the rescue mission. The catastrophic weather events highlight the intensifying risk posed by heavy rains due to human-driven climate change. Residents expressed heartbreak and disbelief over the consecutive tragedies, with one resident describing the events as something out of a movie. Scientists warn that the warming atmosphere holds more water, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
