Heavy Rain in Southwestern Japan, Flood Damage Assessment Underway [Podcast Episode]

From NHK World

August 9 2025

Kirishima City, Kagoshima Pref – Officials of Kirishima City in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima, Japan, where many homes were flooded due to record rain on Friday, have begun inspecting the damage caused by the downpour.

In the city, heavy rain emergency warnings were issued temporarily on Friday and many homes suffered flood damage. But details, such as the number of affected houses, are not yet known.

Officials started the inspection in Hayatocho, Kirishima, where a lot of information about flood damage has been reported.

They inspected homes in pairs, measured the height of the watermarks left on walls, took photos and spoke to residents.

The city will inspect hundreds of homes, and plans to disinfect them after completing the assessment, and floors and walls have dried.

A resident in his 70s whose home was flooded above the floor level said, “When I looked outside, the water came up to the height of my chest.”

He added, “I took a day off from work on Friday to dispose of furniture that was submerged in water.”

A Kirishima city official says they will conduct a thorough inspection so that affected homes can be quickly restored.

The inspections will continue on Sunday.