A "linear precipitation zone" where developed cumulonimbus clouds form a band and cause damage due to heavy rain.
The Japan Meteorological Agency will start operating "information on significant heavy rain" on the 17th, informing that the risk of sediment-related disasters and floods has increased sharply when heavy rain due to this "linear rain zone" is confirmed.
The "linear rain zone" has been repeatedly confirmed by heavy rain disasters so far, such as the heavy rains in July last year and the heavy rains in western Japan in 2018, and there is a risk that the situation will worsen in a short time.
However, since the current technology cannot sufficiently predict the "linear rain zone", the Japan Meteorological Agency will issue "information on remarkable heavy rain" when heavy rain due to the "linear rain zone" is actually confirmed. We are calling for safety.
The operation of the information will start at 1:00 pm on the 17th, and the occurrence of the "linear precipitation zone" will be judged from the analysis rainfall for 3 hours and the shape of the rain clouds, and will be announced as meteorological information.
Since it is not forecast information, it is expected that it will be difficult to evacuate to the outdoors by the time this information is released.
Furthermore, when verified in the past disasters, there are cases where damage has occurred even if this information is not released.
For this reason, the Japan Meteorological Agency wants you to try to evacuate as soon as possible based on information on evacuation from municipalities, the risk distribution that can be confirmed on the Japan Meteorological Agency's website, and river water level information.
Toshitaka Katada, a specially appointed professor at the University of Tokyo graduate school, who specializes in disaster information, said, "Please understand that this information is not always released before a disaster occurs. And efforts to protect the lives of families are required. "
The standard for information release is
Since heavy rainfall due to the "linear precipitation zone" cannot be sufficiently predicted by the current technology, "information on remarkable heavy rainfall" is determined by setting certain conditions to determine the "linear precipitation zone" for sediment-related disasters and floods. It will be announced when the risk level increases sharply.
The criteria for the information to be released are that the range of 100 mm or more of analysis rainfall for 3 hours is 500 square kilometers or more and some of it reaches 150 mm or more, and that the shape of the area is "linear". It is said.
On the one hand of expectations, there are also concerns
The Japan Meteorological Agency says that by releasing this information, it is possible to convey that the risk of disasters is increasing and to raise the sense of crisis of residents and the government.
On the other hand, at the study group where information was discussed, experts on weather and disaster information repeatedly expressed concerns.
What is the relationship with the heavy rain alert level?
This is the relationship with the changed "heavy rain alert level".
Since "information on significant heavy rain" is announced when the risk of a disaster is rapidly increasing, it is not related to evacuation information such as "evacuation instructions" and is positioned as "level 4 or higher". ..
Experts have also pointed out that it may give the misunderstanding that you do not have to evacuate until this information is available.
To increase the information
In addition, there is already a lot of information on heavy rain, such as "warning" and "special warning", "record short-time heavy rain information", "earth and sand disaster warning information", and "flooding danger information". It was also pointed out that it would be difficult to understand.
At present, there is also the issue that rain clouds caused by typhoons are also announced as "linear rain zones".
The Japan Meteorological Agency states, "We will strive to improve information even after operation, taking into account the opinions of the recipients of the information."
Expert "The important thing is the judgment to protect your life"
Toshitaka Katada, a specially appointed professor at the University of Tokyo graduate school who specializes in disaster information and served as a member of the study group of the Meteorological Agency, said, "In the case of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, where the heavy rains in western Japan in 2018 caused great inundation damage, this information was announced. It is important to understand that this information is not always released before a disaster occurs, such as not meeting the standards. "
On top of that, "As the amount of precipitation increases and the situation may worsen intensively, I think it is difficult to provide information suitable for the place at the right time." Because disaster prevention weather information is enriched, I think it is difficult. I'm worried that I'll leave it to that, and I'm worried that while using information, the important thing is the judgment and responsiveness to check the situation around me and protect the lives of myself and my family. " I'm talking.