KYOTO - A burst water pipe beneath National Route 1 in central Kyoto early on April 30th caused a road collapse that flooded surrounding streets and vehicles, triggering widespread disruption.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Gojo and Takakura streets along National Route 1, a major thoroughfare with high traffic volume. Large volumes of water erupted from beneath the asphalt, inundating the surrounding area and causing significant infrastructure damage.
Residents in the area described the scene as resembling a river, with one individual noting their car had been half-submerged and likely totaled. Surveillance footage captured the rapid spread of water, showing the road being overtaken within a minute. Multiple bulges formed in the asphalt before it gave way, forming a hole approximately two meters wide and 1.5 meters deep.
Local resident Kiu Himuro, who reported the flooding, said some smaller vehicles bounced over the distorted pavement unaware of the underlying danger. He referenced a previous case where a truck had fallen into a similar road collapse, prompting him to contact the police immediately out of concern for safety.
The flooding reached underground spaces, including a nearby parking garage where vehicles and a washing machine were fully submerged. Firefighters responded to the scene before 5 a.m., confirming the water main had ruptured. Authorities imposed traffic restrictions around 4:30 a.m., which led to major congestion throughout the area.
According to the Kyoto City Waterworks Bureau, the pipe in question had been installed approximately 65 years ago and was already slated for removal as part of ongoing replacement work. Officials stated that while a new pipe had been installed nearby, the damaged one had not yet been taken out. They also noted that leak inspections are conducted annually, with the last check in this area performed in January.
The topography of the area contributed to the extent of the flooding, as water flowed southward down the slight slope of Takakura Street, reaching homes as far as 60 meters away. One household suffered extensive water damage in its underground garage due to the sheer volume of runoff.
By the afternoon, water flow had been stopped and the damaged pipe excavated, but traffic remained heavily impacted with westbound lanes fully closed and eastbound traffic redirected into a single lane. At a 4 p.m. press conference, officials confirmed continued restoration work and warned of the possibility of discolored tap water.
The incident is the latest in a series of infrastructure failures across Japan linked to aging water systems. In recent years, similar cases in Wakayama and Saitama have resulted in mass water outages and road collapses, underscoring the broader national challenge of maintaining and upgrading aging utilities.
Source: YOMIURI
