158792

Natural Disasters in Japan 5 Landslide Disasters

Landslide disasters are disasters such as the collapse of mountains or cliffs, or the collapse of earth and sand flowing down with rainwater or river water, resulting in the death of people caught in it or the collapse of buildings. caused by volcanic eruptions, etc.

There are three main types of landslide disasters.

• Landslide

It is a phenomenon in which earth and sand in mountains and valleys collapse due to heavy rains, etc., mixing with water and flowing away all at once. It’s fast and has great destructive power, so depending on the location and situation it occurs, it can do a lot of damage.

• Landslide

It is a phenomenon in which a sloping land soaked with rain or groundwater slides downward along with houses and fields together with the ground in large lumps. It often occurs on relatively gentle slopes. Sometimes it moves slowly over a period of years, and sometimes it happens suddenly, triggered by an earthquake or the like.

• Cliff failure

It is a phenomenon in which a steep slope suddenly collapses due to a large amount of rain soaking into the cliff or the shaking of an earthquake. A large amount of earth and sand falls from above at once, so if you are nearby, it is difficult to evacuate.

Prepare for sediment disasters

In order to protect yourself from landslide disasters, we will tell you three points you should know in advance.

(1) Confirm the risks in the area where you live.

On the hazard map, check to see if your area is in a landslide warning area or a landslide hazard area. Also, even if there is no such designation, if there is a “cliff” or “small stream” near your house, there is a risk of landslides.

Residents of these areas are at high risk of landslides, so be careful on a daily basis.

(2) Be aware of the precursory phenomena of landslide disasters.

Before a sediment-related disaster occurs, there may be signs of it. Observe carefully and evacuate to a safe place as soon as you notice anything unusual.

• Heavy rain or long rain continues.
• Water in rivers and wells becomes turbid, and spring water stops or becomes turbid.
• The water level of the river has decreased even though it has been raining.
• Trees are leaning or smelling of soil.
• There are noises and falling stones from the cliff.
• Cracks and steps occur in cliffs and ground, and water springs out from cliffs and slopes.
• The earth tremors.

(3) Pay attention to rainfall and warning information.

When it starts to rain, pay attention to the landslide warning information. When alert level reaches 4, start evacuating immediately.

Actions and countermeasures when a sediment-related disaster occurs

It is basic to evacuate to a safe place before a sediment disaster occurs. It is time to evacuate when a landslide warning is announced in your area or when a sign of a landslide is confirmed.

However, there may be times when it is difficult to go to an evacuation site for various reasons, such as traveling in bad weather, which is more dangerous or elderly people. In such a case, keep in mind “vertical evacuation” and evacuate to the second floor if there is one, and evacuate to the room on the other side of the cliff or slope. Staying as far away from the cliff as possible will increase your chances of being saved.