NAGOYA - Organizers of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games are preparing evacuation plans for athletes and officials staying in temporary container houses and a cruise ship at Nagoya Port, with around 20,000 participants and related personnel expected to visit Aichi Prefecture during the 23-day competition period beginning September 19.
Disaster preparedness has become a key concern as earthquakes, torrential rain and other natural disasters continue to affect areas across Japan.
About 200 container houses are being installed at Nagoya Port ahead of the Games, providing accommodation for around 2,000 athletes and other participants.
Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura said on July 28 that the plan calls for all occupants to evacuate if a typhoon results in the issuance of a weather warning.
In the event of an earthquake or tsunami, organizers say protecting lives will take priority, with athletes and other occupants first instructed to move away from the tsunami threat.
People staying in the container houses will initially evacuate to nearby elevated buildings. They will then be transported by bus to public facilities secured in advance by the organizing committee.
Yuta Matsuo, an official in the organizing committee's accommodation division, said information about evacuation destinations for Games participants has also been shared with nearby residents. He said the plan has been designed so that evacuations by local residents and Games participants can take place simultaneously without interfering with each other.
Several days' worth of drinking water and food are also being stockpiled for emergencies.
A cruise ship moored at Nagoya Port will serve as another major accommodation facility, with plans to house about 4,000 people.
If a typhoon approaches and the Japan Coast Guard recommends vessels evacuate the port, the cruise ship will leave its berth and move offshore with its occupants remaining aboard.
Omura said on July 28 that the vessel would follow instructions from Nagoya Port authorities, leave the pier and anchor offshore if necessary. He said passengers would remain safe aboard the large vessel and that waves capable of overturning such a ship would not occur inside Ise Bay.
Source: CBC
