Flash Downpours Hinder Kumamoto Recovery as Typhoon Approaches

[Anchor]

We continue with news on the Kumamoto earthquake. Flash downpours have struck the disaster-stricken area, which was already sweltering under a heatwave, disrupting recovery efforts. To make matters worse, a typhoon is now approaching.

Tokyo correspondent Mun Junmo reports.

[Reporter]

Rain clouds abruptly blanket downtown Kumamoto.

Soon, guerrilla-style heavy rain pours down accompanied by the sound of thunder.

Roads are instantly submerged in water.

Collapsed houses are left unattended without even a chance to cover them with waterproof tarps.

Residents who were outside hurriedly drape towels over themselves or rush back.

Strong winds and rain sweep even into the evacuation center.

[It's terrifying.]

Though the rain stops in less than an hour, recovery work has been disrupted.

Stores that were in the midst of cleaning up are left in disarray again as rainwater leaks in, and construction workers drop their tools with no time to react.

[Yatsushiro Resident: Water isn't coming out at all. In the middle of summer, hot days like this are truly like hell.]

Hospitals have opened their doors and begun examinations, but they remain vulnerable to water outages.

[Kumamoto Rosai Hospital Doctor: The biggest problem is water. Without water, we cannot perform surgeries. Restoration is urgently needed.]

There is also growing concern over Typhoon Dolphin, a powerful typhoon currently moving toward Okinawa.

Although it will not make landfall directly in Kyushu, the Japan Meteorological Agency stated that effects such as showers and strong winds could occur from tomorrow onward.

In Kumamoto, where the ground has been weakened, even light rain can cause further damage.

On the 9th day since the earthquake, the endless evacuation life is daunting, but the psychological shock inflicted on children is an even greater concern.

[Uki Resident: Sometimes tears just start to flow now. A week has passed, and we've become even more sensitive to earthquakes; I'm most worried about the children's minds.]

Volunteer efforts have also begun to help these children return to their daily routines.

[It's fun because I can watch television, eat, and play.]

To ensure swift recovery, the Japanese government decided yesterday (August 4) to spend 24.2 billion yen in reserve funds and plans to designate the area as a special disaster zone on the coming August 7 to expand support.

(Camera filming: Han Chul-min, Moon Hyun-jin | Video editing: Kim Byung-jik)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.