Heavy Rain, Flooding and Landslides

Heavy Rain, Flooding and Landslides

Heavy Rain

Each year Miyakonojo has a rainy season (tsuyu), in which heavy rain as well as consistent rain occurs. It usually runs from mid-May to mid-July. 

In 2010, due to the heavy rains on July 3rd, in the city of Miyakonojo one person was killed, four houses were completely or partially destroyed, 83 houses were flooded, and damages approached 4.5 billion yen (over 52ドル million).  It is important to take this opportunity to review about disaster preparation.

 

Checking river levels with live cameras

The conditions of rivers in the area can be checked with several live cameras. A general overview can be found here, and several major bridges are directly linked as follows:

Oyodo River Takeshitabashi area conditions

Oyodo River Hiwatashibashi area conditions

Oyodo River Otobobashi area conditions

 

Landslides

Landslides can take a life in an instant.  They can travel at speeds of over 10 meters/sec (over 22 miles/hour) and you cannot outrun one if you wait until after it has begun.  It is important to learn the warning signs of slides.

 

If you hear rumbling in the mountains, the sound of trees breaking, or the sound of rocks crashing together, this is a portent of an impending land avalanche.  Other signs include the following:

- Even though rain continues to fall, the water level in the river drops or becomes clouded and mixed with trees.

- There is a smell of soil.

- With landslides, cracks appear in the ground.  Swamps and well water cloud up, and water spouts from sloping ground.

- With other types of landslides, clouded water pours from cliff faces, and cracks appear.  Small rocks tumble down from above.

 

The Miyazaki Support Center for Foreign Residents - Heavy Rain Guidelines