Sep 23, 2024 (NHK) - Seven people are dead in the wake of torrential downpours in Japan's central Ishikawa Prefecture that have caused rivers to flood and mudslides across the Noto region. Some people living in temporary shelters following the New Year's Day earthquake are once again facing recovery efforts, this time from flooding.
Many rivers in the Noto Peninsula have overflowed their banks, causing flooding on the ground floor of some houses.
A local father is hoping his daughter will soon be located. She was home alone when the disaster struck. He said: "My only wish is for her to be found, even if she is not alive. I want to hug her."
In the town of Futegawa, four houses were swept away by a flooded river, leaving four people unable to be contacted. About 400 personnel from police and fire departments and the self-defense forces are searching for them.
Yamamoto Yasushi, a police officer from Aichi Prefecture, said: "It's difficult to bring heavy machinery as some roads are cut off or narrowed. We are searching for survivors."
Ten people were rescued near the Nakaya tunnel in Wajima City, which was hit by a landslide. Two were later confirmed dead. Reconstruction work was underway due to damage stemming from the New Year's Day earthquake.
A worker who was rescued from the tunnel said: "I was worried about whether I would have to stay another night there. I didn't have any way to contact people."
Ishikawa Prefecture said as of 3 p.m. Monday that the death toll increased to seven and two are missing. Officials also announced the names of five residents who are unaccounted for.
Meanwhile, some people who were living in temporary shelters are now forced to evacuate.
Most of about 140 temporary houses in the center of Wajima City were inundated by a nearby overflowing river. They were built for those affected by the New Year's Day disaster.
Ikeda Kiyoshi and Hideko had evacuated to a hospital, but they've gone back to their homes to clean up.
They say they have no place to stay from Monday as the hospital begins regular operations on Tuesday.
Hideko said, "We were affected by the flood just after we had finally found a place to settle down. I feel so helpless."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters on Monday that some of the evacuation shelters in the cities of Suzu and Wajima are lacking necessities. Hayashi said rice and portable toilets are scheduled to be brought to districts in Wajima now that the weather has improved.
