Local Communities Vulnerable to Disaster

One month has passed since a great earthquake hit Noto Peninsula on January 1, and it was found that 32 people, or 14%, died with coldness. It means that certain number of people lost their lives without help, even though they had survived immediate strike of the quake. The suffered area has been depopulated and the people were getting old. Unfortunately, the earthquake occurred in the middle of winter. Noto earthquake revealed vulnerability of local communities against natural disaster. 

Ishikawa prefectural government counted 240 deaths caused by the earthquake, including 15 in their evacuation in shelters. The number of houses totally or partly broken were about 48 thousand. The old houses vulnerable to quakes broke down, causing many people buried under the debris.

 

According to a report of Mainichi Shimbun, 92 people (41%) out of 222 deaths were crushed beneath the collapsed houses. Other 49 people (22%) were choked or insufficient breathing, which were also supposed to be under collapsed buildings. Something notable is the coldness or freezing was the third cause of the deaths. There are some reports that survivors had some conversation with their families just after the earthquake, who were crushed under the house, and eventually they were weakened and speaking nothing.

 

Approaching suffered area was a key to rescue people in this earthquake. Noto Peninsula does not have many routes to reach the rural communities. Once a main road is broken, it is difficult to find alternative way to reach. Although the rescuing teams considered to approach there through the sea, possible tsunami and broken ports disturbed. Delay of helping hands possibly caused those deaths by coldness.

 

67% of total deaths were in the age of 60 or older, indicating high ratio of aged people in the demography of the region. It is recognized that a local community becomes difficult to be maintained, if the share of the people in 65 years old or older exceeds 50%. One report revealed that 49% of all local communities in the seven cities and towns severely suffering from the earthquake have been exceeded that threshold of survivability.

 

Depopulation and aging of residents may cause vulnerability to disasters. Disaster preventive measures would put higher priority on populated area. Rural area cannot have enough stock of food or fuel. Aged people are likely to live in old houses, easily broken down by a major earthquake. They do not have much force of young people which are necessary for rescuing old people in disaster.

 

One policy for reinforcing local communities is keeping young people by enhancing local economy. The local governments welcome supports for devastated area with purchasing their products. Wajima city is known as a home of lacquer wares. The coastal area of Noto Peninsula produces various seafood. The area is usual destination of sightseeing tours. Reconstruction of local economy is a choice for the local communities to survive after the earthquake.