Preparing for Torrential Rain(2006.05)
Preparing for Torrential Rain
Last year Typhoon 14 caused great damage in Miyazaki Prefecture, particularly through landslides and flooding. The rainy season in Japan is on its way, and we can expect typhoons to approach Miyazaki from summer through autumn. This month we offer you some advice about being prepared for torrential rains.
Be Careful Under the Following Circumstances
If the ground is unable to absorb all the water that falls in torrential rains, then a large amount of rain water will flow into the rivers. This extra volume of water will increase the likelihood that the river banks will rupture and immerse nearby buildings. Many homes near rivers were damaged in this way last year during Typhoon.
Furthermore, in mountainous areas, torrential rain can cause landslides. Landslides cause tremendous damage, so evacuate as soon as possible if you notice any of the following warning signs.
Landslide Warning Signs
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・Small rocks falling sporadically. ・Water gushing from a cliff face. ・Cracks forming in a cliff face. ・A stop in the flow of spring water. ・Cracks and breaks in the land surface. ・Appearance of cave-ins and land upheavals. ・Well and stream water becoming muddy. ・Trees in the mountains leaning to one side. ・A thundering noise on a mountain. ・Water running down the slope of a mountain. ・Despite continuous rain, a river's water level drops. (There is the danger that cliff failure has blocked the flow of the river.) |
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Quick Evacuation Saves Lives
If your local authorities issue an "evacuation order" 〔hinan kankoku or hinan shiji〕 (instructions to leave the area) during a typhoon or torrential rains, evacuate as soon as possible. Even if you don't receive an evacuation order, when you feel that you are in danger, please evacuate to safety place (evacuation site, etc.).
Obtaining Information on a Regular Basis
Listen carefully to television and radio weather reports, and make sure you know how to obtain evacuation site information,
evacuation route information, and evacuation orders. For more information about these matters, please contact your local government's
division in charge of disaster prevention.
＊If you cannot understand Japanese well, you may struggle to obtain necessary information during a disaster. In order to help you
cope with natural disasters in Miyazaki, we hold Japanese Language Practice Sessions where you can learn "disaster vocabulary" every
Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at CARINO MIYAZAKI in Miyazaki City. Please contact us for more information.
Tips Learned from Last Year's Typhoon
・Evacuate quickly.
・Prepare at least a 3 day supply of food and water.
・Register for disaster insurance to cover homes and automobiles.
For more information, please see the Miyazaki Prefecture Disaster Prevention website http://www.pref.miyazaki.lg.jp/bousai (in Japanese). In addition, there is a "Disaster Prevention Pamphlet for Foreigners" in English, Chinese, and Korean available at the Miyazaki International Plaza (CARINO Miyazaki 8 floor) and local goverment offices. You can also view the pamphlet (English version only) on our website http://www.mif.or.jp.
As always, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the Miyazaki Prefecture International Foundation at (Tel) 0985-32-8457, (Fax) 0985-32-8512, or (email) miyainfo@mif.or.jp Thank you.
