Tokyo, August 4: A week has passed since the 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan. The disaster has resulted in numerous fatalities and left many homeless. Thousands are currently living in evacuation shelters. On Tuesday, amidst extreme heat, the water supply was also cut off. Over 8,000 individuals remain in these shelters.
According to local authorities, people are taking refuge in 150 evacuation shelters, with estimates suggesting that nearly 12,000 buildings have been damaged.
Evacuation shelters have been set up in school gyms, community centers, and classrooms. Many of these shelters lack air conditioning. A significant number of individuals are forced to spend nights in their cars, parks, or outside damaged homes. Reports indicate that a man sleeping in his car died from heatstroke.
Kyodo News Agency reported that following a visit to an evacuation shelter on Monday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the government would declare the earthquake an “extremely serious disaster.” This declaration would enable local governments to receive increased subsidies for reconstruction efforts and take specific measures to assist victims.
On Tuesday, Takaichi’s cabinet approved the use of approximately 24.2 billion yen (150 million dollars) from the government’s reserve fund for relief measures in the earthquake-affected areas. On Monday, temperatures in several parts of the prefecture soared to 35 degrees Celsius or higher, with some areas recording unprecedented temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius.
Prime Minister Takaichi conducted an aerial survey of the affected regions via military helicopter and subsequently visited one of the best-equipped relief shelters.
Residents in the earthquake-affected areas are still busy clearing debris, broken furniture, and damaged household items from their homes. Temporary housing construction has begun for displaced families in Uki and Hikawa towns, while several hotels and traditional inns are offering rooms to those affected.
Days after the disaster, over 46,000 homes still lack a clean water supply. Fuel shortages persist in many areas. With temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in southern Japan, the risk of heatstroke continues to rise.
Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura expressed particular concern about the “unusual heat” during a meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi. He noted the lack of clean drinking water and adequate medical facilities in many shelters. The governor has requested additional support from the central government to improve conditions in the shelters swiftly.
Prime Minister Takaichi reassured the governor, stating, “Considering the governor’s requests, we will promptly review what additional measures the government can take for the disaster-affected areas and their residents, and we will actively act to provide necessary assistance.”
The government’s priority is to restore water supply as quickly as possible, prepare temporary housing, enhance medical and sanitation facilities in shelters, and provide safe and better shelter for those affected amidst the extreme heat.
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