Record rain inundated the area, which was still rebuilding following January’s 7.5 magnitude quake.
Tragedy strikes Japan’s Noto Peninsula as at least six people lose their lives to deadly floods in an area that was still reeling from a devastating earthquake nine months prior. Over the weekend, heavy rain poured down, with the city of Wajima experiencing a record-breaking 540 millimetres of rain in just 72 hours.
The region was already struggling to recover from a powerful earthquake in January that had caused extensive damage. Now, the floods have added to the misery, claiming lives and leaving many missing, including a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
The floodwater even engulfed emergency housing set up for those displaced by the earthquake, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the community. Thousands of households were left without power, while landslides cut off access to over 100 areas.
Residents like Akemi Yamashita described the situation as “like something from a movie,” with the impact of both the earthquake and floods proving to be overwhelming for many. Military assistance has been deployed to aid in rescue efforts, as the region braces for more potential damage due to heavy rain in nearby prefectures.