#Japan #Akita #Ministry of Land #Akita Prefecture #Flood Damage

Report on Record Flood Damage in Akita Prefecture

On July 31, 2023, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan released alarming statistics revealing that flood damage in Akita Prefecture has reached unprecedented levels. This report indicates that the total flood damage across Japan for the year 2023 amounts to approximately 710 billion yen, ranking it as the third highest in the last decade from 2013 to 2023.

Key Statistics on Flood Damage

In a detailed breakdown of the flood damage by prefecture, the figures present a sobering image:

• - Akita Prefecture: 159 billion yen
• - Fukuoka Prefecture: 67 billion yen
• - Wakayama Prefecture: 56 billion yen

Notably, Akita Prefecture experienced the largest recorded flood damage since the tracking of such statistics began. This highlights a significant trend that policymakers need to address urgently.

Major Flood Events Impacting Financial Damage

The ministry's report outlines several key events that contributed notably to the total damage:

1. Heavy Rainfall in July 2023: This event accounted for around 176 billion yen in damages from July 11 to July 20, 2023. Akita Prefecture alone suffered around 154.9 billion yen in losses due to flooding from six river systems, with two rivers under national management also experiencing severe inundation.
- Consequences included 1 confirmed death and approximately 9,500 buildings affected.
- Additionally, eight landslides were reported in both Akita and Niigata Prefectures.

2. Rainstorms and Typhoon No. 2: From May 30 to June 5, this combination led to approximately 165 billion yen in losses. The primary affected areas included:
- Wakayama Prefecture: 52.4 billion yen
- Shizuoka Prefecture: 39.6 billion yen
- Saitama Prefecture: 24 billion yen
- Tragically, six lives were lost across several prefectures, with approximately 9,600 buildings impacted and landslides occurring across 18 prefectures, totaling 328 incidents.

3. Severe Rain at the End of June: Continuing into July, this event caused around 163 billion yen in damage, notably affecting:
- Fukuoka Prefecture: 65.7 billion yen
- Yamaguchi Prefecture: 30.9 billion yen
- Kumamoto Prefecture: 19.6 billion yen
- Here, 13 fatalities were recorded, with 4,400 buildings reported to have suffered damage, alongside 397 landslide incidents across 22 prefectures.

The impact of these repeated floods has raised vital concerns regarding infrastructure and disaster preparedness. For details on the statistical report, the Ministry urges citizens to consult E-Stat, the government statistical portal for comprehensive data.

Conclusion and Collaborative Response

As flooding becomes an increasingly frequent natural disaster across Japan, particularly in regions like Akita, it is imperative that both local and national governments collaborate to enhance disaster prevention and response strategies. This involves the strengthening of existing infrastructure, better forecasting and early warning systems, and effective community outreach programs.

The figures provided illustrate not just the immediate financial strain inflicted upon communities, but they also signal a pressing need for improvements in disaster management protocols. Moving forward, it is crucial for concerned authorities to adapt and respond with robust policies that can mitigate the potential for future catastrophes. The health and safety of the affected populations rely heavily on such initiatives as we move through an era of increasing climate unpredictability.