Reporto “Murderous Downpour” Roads become rivers, mudslides swallow houses and people. …… Walking in the City of Despair

How terrifying are the recurring linear precipitation zones?

Since late June, Kyushu has been hit by record-breaking rainfall, and on July 8, a linear precipitation zone formed in eastern Shimane Prefecture. Izumo-taisha shrine was inundated, causing extensive damage. Two days later, another linear precipitation event occurred in Kyushu. On the news, graphs showing rainfall extended abnormally high. The Japan Meteorological Agency called for “action to save lives” at a press conference.

Unable to stand still, I drove to the site. However, the roads were flooded everywhere, and I had to make detours and detours again. The car radio was saying , “A landslide has occurred in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. A mudslide occurred in Tanushimaru-cho, Kurume City, and seven people were missing.

‘It’s flooded up ahead, turn back! It’s no good over there either. ……

The residents were struggling to get around. We felt as if we were wandering in a maze. We entered Tanushimaru Town, Kurume City, much later than the estimated arrival time on the car navigation system. When we came to a clearer road, we could see the footprints of a mudslide across the mountain.

Since we could no longer use the car, we decided to continue on foot. After a short walk, a river came into view, but it was already flooded and the road had disappeared under the water. We had no choice but to make a large detour.

I was lost for words when I entered a narrow alley from the road in front of the community center in the Sanmyouji district. A massive mudslide had swept down the slope of the mountain side. Seven houses were damaged. Living rooms and entrances were gutted and completely exposed. Driftwood from the stream was pinned against the houses, and cars that had been swept away were riding up on the eaves of the houses. Yards and fields were covered with a huge amount of earth and sand.