Residents in the quake-hit southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto put out heaps of debris for collection as the region baked under intense heat.
The heat and a lack of water supplies have added to the challenges in the severely damaged areas where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi briefly visited for the first time since a magnitude 7.1 quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu yesterday.
Thirty-eight people died during the quake, including one who died of apparent heatstroke while taking shelter in a car in hot weather and one other whose cause of death is still being investigated, prefectural officials said Monday.
Residents put out broken furniture and damaged appliances for collection, while in the towns of Uki and Hikawa, construction of temporary housing began. Some hotels and inns are offering their rooms for evacuees.
More than 46,000 households remained without water and many also faced fuel shortages as the region suffers sweltering heat, stoking fears of heat-related illness.
The Japan Meteorological Agency predicted that temperatures would rise close to 40°C on Monday.
More than 8,500 people remain at crowded emergency shelters, such as converted community centres, school gyms and classrooms, many of which lack air-conditioning.
Others are sleeping in cars at town hall parking lots and parks, or outside of their homes.
Experts have long warned that inadequate shelter provision leads to crowded conditions and a lack of sanitation and privacy for people forced to leave their homes following disasters.
Takaichi on Monday flew over the affected areas from an army helicopter and visited one of the area’s best-equipped shelters, with cardboard beds, partitions and air-conditioning, triggering criticisms on social media that her visit distorted reality.
Kumamoto governor Takashi Kimura, in his meeting with Takaichi, said the “abnormal heat” has been pounding on the already difficult lives of the residents”.
He sought further government support to improve the living conditions at evacuation centres, saying many of them lack clean water and medical care.
“While taking into consideration the governor’s requests, we will quickly examine what the government can do for the disaster-hit region and affected people and move proactively,” Takaichi said.
The earthquake has left 114 people injured across Kumamoto, authorities said. Some 700 homes were destroyed, and more than 11,300 buildings were damaged, according to Kumamoto Prefecture. — AP
