Heavy Rain in Central Japan Causes Floods and Landslides, Multiple Fatalities Reported

Heavy rain in Ichikawa Prefecture in central Japan has caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in multiple fatalities and missing persons.

Rescue Efforts and Fatalities

On Sunday, September 22, 2024, the Ishikawa Prefectural Police and Fire Office reported that authorities found 10 victims near a tunnel in Wajima who had encountered a landslide on Saturday, but two of them have already died.

In Wajima city, authorities discovered two women dead in a house and rice field that had been hit by a landslide. Additionally, a man who had been rescued from a river earlier was confirmed dead.

In the city of Suzu, officials found one dead body after a landslide hit the victim’s house.

Missing Persons and Property Damage

Two people were swept away in rivers in Noto and Suzu, while four houses along the river in Wajima were destroyed and swept away by the current. Four other people are missing.

The Ishikawa Prefecture Government released the names of 8 people missing in the Wajima and Suzu areas, with ages ranging from 14-89 years old.

Record-Breaking Rainfall

The city of Wajima was hit by heavy rain, with almost 500 mm of rain recorded on Friday night. The city of Suzu recorded almost 400 mm of water, more than double the average for the entire month of September and the highest since records began in 1929.

Weather Warnings and Precautions

On Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency changed the heavy rain warning level in some areas of Ishikawa Prefecture from an “urgent warning” to a regular “warning”, but they still urge people to be careful of possible floods and landslides.