Hiroshima Locals Develop Warning System after 2014 Disaster

August 20, 2018

Hiroshima- Residents of a Hiroshima area hit by a landslide in August 2014 have developed a local warning system against disasters caused by heavy rains.

Early last month, the system worked during the torrential rains that caused landslides and floods in many parts of Japan, including the western city of Hiroshima.

It warned locals to make preparations for evacuation 46 minutes earlier than the Hiroshima city government on July 6, when record rainfalls hit western Japan areas.

The system was established by residents of the Shindate residential complex in Hiroshima's Asakita Ward, which was among the sites hit by landslides four years ago.

The disaster claimed 77 lives in the city, including three in the complex, where 200 households lived.

At that time, a local community association provided residents of the complex with information on evacuation advisories and other related matters through fixed telephones. But it failed to reach some residents due to a blackout.

Drawing a lesson from this, the association installed rain gauges within the premises of the complex in June 2015.

A warning is sent to registered residents by email when a rainfall of 10 millimeters is recorded over 10 minutes, 40 millimeters over one hour, or 80 millimeters over three hours.

In addition, computer system engineer Shigehiro Moritsugi, 53, who lives in the complex, developed a safety confirmation system for residents.

Registered users enter their information, including current whereabouts, on the system's website in the event of a disaster. The system lists those in need of assistance, such as people with disabilities and elderly people living alone.

The association distributes cards with a quick response (QR) code to make it easy to access the website. The association also teaches elderly and other residents how to use the safety confirmation system, as well as the email warning system.

All households in the complex are registered with the safety confirmation system and 60 pct with the warning system.

"We want to convey information as quickly as possible to let residents recognize the approach of a danger," said association leader Teruyuki Umeno, 65.

The systems have drawn attention from other regions. The association has received inquiries from similar resident associations in Shizuoka and Hyogo prefectures. Jiji Press