[Commentary] Kyushu and other regions in Japan have recently experienced record heavy rains, and 57 people have been killed. In addition, there are 2 people with cardiopulmonary arrest and 12 people missing. On the 8th, the police, fire department and the Self-Defense Force launched a continuous search, and the Japan Meteorological Agency urged the public to continue to be highly vigilant about flooding and geological disasters.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, as of noon on the 7th local time, the 24-hour precipitation in Hita City reached 497.0 millimeters, setting a new record in the observation history of the site. Omuta City, Yamaga City, and Nagasaki City of Kumamoto Prefecture also had a rainfall of more than 400 millimeters in the 24 hours as of the morning of the 7th.
[Commentary] On the 7th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at the headquarters meeting of the countermeasures held in the official residence that he would increase the size of the Self-Defense Force's disaster dispatch from the current 10,000 to 20,000. In addition, I hope to expedite the discussion so that this disaster can be designated as a specific extraordinary disaster as soon as possible. If the disaster is designated as a specific extraordinary disaster, special measures such as extending the validity period of the driver's license will be applied locally.
[Same period] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Due to the high demand for clean-up and food support in the affected areas, the self-defense force will be expanded from 10,000 to 20,000 in order to fully support the victims. In addition, after confirming a series of damage conditions caused by the rainstorm disaster, in order to support the victims’ actions to restore normal life after the disaster, the disaster will be discussed as a specific extraordinary disaster as soon as possible. More than 150 local government officials have responded , Continue to truly understand the local needs, and make every effort to provide victims with support across the provinces and departments.
[Commentary] As of July 7, 90,000 meals, 1,000 cardboard beds, 800 partitions and other materials have arrived in the affected area for support.
[Commentary] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan confirmed that 9 rivers in 7 counties in Kyushu are flooding. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued the highest-level "special rainstorm warning" to the three prefectures of Fukuoka, Saga and Nagasaki, and requested some 1.36 million people in some areas to take emergency refuge and remain vigilant.
Editor Zeng Chen
Editor in charge: [Chen Haifeng]