Heavy rainfall has plunged the Noto region of Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture back to the forefront of disaster recovery efforts, as torrential downpours triggered catastrophic floods and landslides, leaving one person dead and several others missing. This situation arises just months after the area was struck by a major earthquake on January 1, which had already caused significant damage and loss of life.
On September 21, the skies opened up, pouring more than 540 millimeters (about 21 inches) of rain on Wajima, one of the hardest-hit cities on the Noto Peninsula, marking it as the most intense continuous rainfall recorded since data collection began. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) quickly issued its highest alert level highlighting the severity of the expected weather. This call for vigilance became starkly apparent as residents witnessed rivers swell and overflow, transforming familiar streets and neighborhoods.
Akemi Yamashita, 54, vividly recalled her close brush with disaster, recounting how, “within only 30 minutes or so, water gushed onto the street and quickly rose to half the height of my car.” Her sentiments echo the prevailing anxiety among residents, many of whom felt the combined weight of trauma from both the recent floods and the earlier earthquake, describing their experiences as surreal, “like something from a movie.”
Authorities report at least six individuals currently unaccounted for, with four believed to be entangled within the debris at construction sites, where workers were engaged in repairing damage from the earthquake. One of these workers, Takaya Kiso, is anxiously searching for his 14-year-old daughter, who was reportedly swept away with the floodwaters. He expressed his yearning, saying, “I want to hug her,” reflecting the depths of despair experienced by families caught up in these disasters.
Meanwhile, evacuation orders were issued for tens of thousands, as mudslides rendered numerous roads impassable and severely disrupted emergency operations. The government has mobilized approximately 1,600 troops from the Self Defense Forces for rescue and recovery missions across the region, emphasizing the urgency of safety and restoration efforts.
Steve Hyuga, the chief spokesperson for the regional disaster response, emphasized, “We urge all residents to act decisively and prioritize their safety over property. The heavy rain events we’re witnessing are unprecedented, and we must remain alert.” This sentiment was echoed by regional officials, as the JMA had previously warned of potential flooding and mudslides due to the saturated soil conditions and mountainous terrain prone to landslides.
Another major complication of this natural disaster has been the prolonged disruptions to the infrastructure already weakened from the January earthquake. Reports indicate over 1,350 households without electricity, with emergency shelters struggling to accommodate displaced residents. The electric company, Hokuriku Electric Power Co., reported outages affecting around 6,500 homes, compounding the difficulties faced by those trying to recover.
Areas like Wajima and Suzu, which had previously set up temporary housing for earthquake victims, were once again inundated, forcing families back to emergency arrangements. Many expressed fears of losing everything they had just begun to rebuild. “I have to start over, through another cold winter,” lamented Shoichi Miyakoshi, whose tragic story includes the loss of his wife during the 2007 earthquake. “How is this fair?”
The deluge’s impact was not limited to lost lives and damaged homes; it also disrupted local economies and communities struggling to recover from their previous loss. Calling it “heartbreaking,” local officials cited the mounting challenges facing the community and reaffirmed their commitment to recovery efforts.
The weather pattern currently affecting the Noto region is the result of climate-related events which scientists warn are becoming increasingly common. A warming atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall events and intensifying the risk of flooding and mudslides. This relationship between climate change and extreme weather patterns demands attention, as communities like Wajima face the harsh reality of living with the unpredictable nature of their environment.
The JMA has stated they expect additional rainfall to increase the challenges of recovery efforts, with lines of severe weather predicted to linger over the region. Floodwaters continue to pose threats, with officials urging residents to remain vigilant and responsive to nature’s increasingly aggressive tendencies.
Now, as emergency services brace for whatever may come next, the people of Noto face the uncertainty of recovery. They cling to hope, drawing strength from their resilience, as they band together to aid one another, navigate the chaos of the present, and slowly begin to make sense of their shattered world. With recovery still far from over, they must once again prepare for the arduous task of rebuilding their lives and community.
Only time will reveal the full extent of damage and recovery efforts, but for now, the Noto region stands united, weathering both internal and external storms as it looks to forge, or perhaps restore, its identity once more.
