A powerful tornado that struck Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan last week has claimed one life and left a trail of destruction,damaging over 1,800 homes. The confirmed fatality, reported Tuesday in the town of Yoshida, underscores the severity of the storm, which meteorological officials believe may have been one of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded in Japan.
The twister, which impacted areas from Makinohara City to Yoshida Town, caused widespread damage, with 83 people injured – including eight critically. The disaster has displaced residents, with twenty individuals currently sheltered in evacuation centers, and recovery efforts are now threatened by an approaching weather system. This event highlights Japan’s vulnerability to severe weather events and the challenges of rapid disaster response in densely populated areas.
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s assessment, based on the extent of the damage and othre data, suggests the tornado’s intensity was extraordinary. Officials also suspect a strong gust of wind recorded in Kakegawa City was, in fact, a separate tornado.
Makinohara City bore the brunt of the damage,with one home fully destroyed,149 partially damaged,and 960 sustaining minor damage. An additional six homes experienced flooding. Across the prefecture, a total of 1,836 houses were impacted, including those flooded by rainfall from a tropical storm that preceded the tornado last Friday.
Adding to the urgency, rain is forecast for the affected areas on Wednesday, raising concerns that it will hamper ongoing recovery operations. Authorities are bracing for potential setbacks as they work to restore normalcy to communities devastated by the storm.
