Today's Close-Up S2024E22 - Another Disaster for Quake-Hit Noto: Record Rain, Flooding Break Spirits

On New Year's Day, Japan's Noto Peninsula experienced a massive earthquake that destroyed communities and livelihoods. Then in September, another disaster struck. This time, a sudden, violent downpour engulfed neighborhoods, washing away homes, flooding temporary housing for quake survivors, and triggering deadly mudslides that cut off communities from outside help. The tragedy has raised questions about the forecasting abilities of the Meteorological Agency, which didn't see the devastating rain coming, and the risk communication of local authorities, who built the temporary housing on flood-prone land. NHK visited the Noto region to gauge the extent of the damage, and see how residents are coping with this latest setback.

Guest:
Ubaura Michio (Professor, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University)