2014 Hiroshima landslides

Following torrential rain in which a month's worth fell in a single day, several landslides were triggered near a mountain beside the city of Hiroshima.[2] Asakita-ku was the hardest-hit ward. It received 217.5 millimetres (8.56 in) of rain from 1:30 am to 4:30 am causing two landslides which occurred between 4 am and 6 am. Hiroshima issued an evacuation advisory at 4:15 am. Mayor Kazumi Matsui confessed regret over the advisory's late issuance and recommended that the city study the incident to improve the process.[4]

Under the law which took effect in 2001, prefectural governments and other authorities must carry out on-site research to designate areas for which evacuation plans and hazard maps will be created. In Hiroshima there are about 32,000 possibly dangerous areas, the highest of all 47 prefectures.[5]

Landslide damage

As of 20 September 2014, at least 70 people have died as a result of the landslides. One of the dead was a rescue worker killed after the hillside collapsed a second time.[2] Two children, aged 2 and 11, died in a mudslide in Asaminami-ku around 3:20am.[4] The number of casualties was initially feared to be 100.[6] The number missing was reported to be 52 on the morning of 22 August, but in the afternoon it was revised to 47,[7] then to 46 on the morning of the 23rd, and later on the morning of the same day to 43.[8] On 9 September, police announced that they had found one body, which has since been identified.[9] Another body was found on 18 September,[10] which has since then been also identified.[11]

On 23 August, Hiroshima city was considering publishing a list of missing persons to speed up safety confirmation.[12] A missing persons list with 28 names in it was published on 25 August.[13] As of 19 September, all bodies of 28 of those listed have been found and identified.[11][14]

Burials for two of the youngest victims – eleven years old and two years old – and the firefighter, were conducted on 22 August.[15][16]

Buddhist memorial service was held on 23 September[17] and Shijukunichi[lower-alpha 1] service for ten victims on 28 September,[18] for several others on 4 October[19] and officially on 7 October.[20]

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe directed the military to deploy hundreds of personnel to assist the local rescue teams.[2] Japanese Red Cross[21] and the NPO Peace Winds Japan[22] also sent staff, and an estimated 1,300 people have volunteered. Disaster Volunteer of Hiroshima City decided to discontinue activities on 24 August.[23] Volunteers continued later, but stopped temporarily on 4 September because of bad weather.[24]

An estimated 2,000[25]–3,600[26] rescuers consisting of firefighters, police and members of the Self-Defense Force took part in searching and clearing debris despite rain and dangerous conditions that hampered and sometimes halted their efforts. There was also ongoing risk for a secondary disaster, and more rain was forecast for the area.[27][lower-alpha 2] Consequently, residents on Asakita and Asaminami were told to evacuate.[28] Because schools were being used as shelters, several had to postpone the start dates.[29] All elementary school shelters were closed 1 November.[30]

Evacuation advisories were partially lifted for Asaminami-ku on Sunday, 31 August, allowing about 14,400 persons (around 5700 households) to return to their homes.[31]

Number of persons and households in shelters, by date:

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe planned to visit the disaster area on the morning of 24 August, but bad weather postponed his visit by one day.[53]

Emperor and Empress visited Hiroshima 3 December. Their Majesties observed damage, met survivors, SDF personnel, firefighters, police and volunteers.[54]

5 September Cabinet of Japan meeting estimated that 900 million yen is needed for Hiroshima's recovery. (The valuation of the damage caused by the landslide is incomplete.)[55]

Hiroshima prefectural and municipal governments decided to provide 157 public housing units, for evacuees, free of charge. Officials were forced to hold a lottery after 284 households applied. Local governments are also preparing to build temporary housing for those who lost their homes.[56] The procedures will begin on 28 August, which is also the earliest day tenants can move in.[57] According to the city, municipal housing is provided rent-free for up to a maximum six-month stay, as a general rule.[58]

On 2 September, officials issued a new evacuation advisory to parts of Asaminami-ku, fearing that a nearby slope might collapse and cause more damage. This affected around 2,520 persons(about 980 households).[59]

Voluntarily evacuation order was issued 24 September to districts of Asakita and Asaminami-ku because Typhoon 16.[60] At next day, part of it was cancelled.[61]

On 1 October and further 7 October and 17th, evacuation advisories were cancelled for several parts of area.[62][63][64]

On 20 November, last evacuation advisory was cancelled and 42 people (16 households) were able to return to their homes.[65]

The last shelter was closed 25 December.[66]

• 2018 Japan floods
• 2020 Kyushu floods
• List of landslides

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2014 Hiroshima landslides.

• Pictures by Geospatial Information Authority
• Pictures by Pasco Corp.
• Pictures by Kokusai Kogyo Co.
• Pictures by アジア航測