Editorial: Don’t forget to prepare for heavy rain as well as earthquakes

Residents maneuver through a flooded street in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka prefecture on July 10. — AFP

SCHOOLS are not only places for learning, but also serve as evacuation centres for residents in the event of a disaster in Japan. In addition to major earthquakes, effective safety measures should be urgently taken to prepare for the heavy rains that have been occurring more frequently in recent years.

More than 90% of public elementary and junior high schools and other facilities nationwide have been designated by local governments as evacuation centres in the event of a disaster, and they play an important role in local disaster prevention measures.