Top of page
Disaster

No progress on inclusive evacuation plans for 2018 Japan rain disaster areas

View from the Shijo Ohashi bridge over rising Kamo River and flooded river banks during heavy rain in Kyoto, Japan
Photo: VIGO-S / Shutterstock.com

More than 80% of municipalities in three western Japan prefectures that saw high casualties in last summer’s torrential rain disaster have since failed to update or review the way they implement assisted evacuation lists for residents that would have difficulty fleeing on their own, such as the elderly or people with disabilities, a Mainichi Shimbun survey has shown.

Of the 70 municipalities in Hiroshima, Okayama and Ehime prefectures, which saw widespread flooding and landslides in the July 2018 weather disaster, only 20 responded that they had employed rosters of residents needing help evacuating. The record-breaking rain left 197 people dead in the three prefectures, about half of them aged 70 and over.

Every municipality in Japan is required to make up the lists under 2013 revisions to the Basic Act on Disaster Management. The revisions were implemented in response to the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns to prevent disproportionate numbers of society’s weakest members from falling victim to disasters.

 

 

You might also like

Elderly men and boy on dry ground Elderly men and boy on dry ground

Durham University drives global climate and health law

The World Health Organization identifies climate change as the biggest…

Man drinking water during heat wave Man drinking water during heat wave

Google enhances extreme heat warnings with new health tips feature

Millions across the globe can now access vital health and…

Fire fighting helicopter carry water bucket to extinguish the forest fire Fire fighting helicopter carry water bucket to extinguish the forest fire

Air pollution from wildfires and farming tied to dementia rise

No amount of air pollution is good for the brain,…

flooded neighborhood flooded neighborhood

Flood-affected communities to receive $9.1 million boost

The NGO Flood Recovery Program funding will go to service…