Image Credits: www.asahi.com
As heavy rains and typhoons batter the Oku-Noto region, residents are grappling with the devastating effects of yet another disaster. On September 21, record rainfall inundated Wajima and Suzu cities in Ishikawa Prefecture, exacerbating the already precarious situation for those recovering from the New Year’s Day earthquake.
Muddy floodwaters swept through the region, overflowing rivers and triggering landslides that severed transportation routes. Temporary housing, recently established for individuals who lost their homes in the earthquake, was flooded once more, forcing many residents to evacuate yet again. Local sentiment is one of despair, with residents voicing their frustration: “Not again.”
In Suzu’s Makimachi district, critical roads remain impassable due to landslides, further isolating communities. Osamu Minamoto, 73, currently in a voluntary evacuation shelter, expressed his frustration at the recurring nature of these disasters: “We’re isolated again.”
Kei Warabino, whose home near Wajima Morning Market was destroyed by fire, faced the latest challenge as he received urgent calls to evacuate. He is now living with his elderly parents in temporary housing, which has been threatened by floodwaters rising to ankle-deep levels. “After the earthquake, I’m worried about the damage situation,” he remarked, noting ongoing concerns about signal disruptions in the area.
Ryota Yoshida, 31, from Suzu City, expressed fears that homes previously deemed safe after the earthquake might now be at risk. “I think even houses that were standing strong and those scheduled for demolition could collapse,” he stated, reflecting a shared anxiety among residents.
As recovery efforts struggle against nature’s fury, the resilience of the community is being tested once again. Local officials and relief organizations are mobilizing resources to assist those affected, but the path to recovery remains fraught with uncertainty.