1953 North Kyushu Flood
Encyclopedia
The 1953 North Kyushu Flood was the flood which hit the Northern Kyushu, Japan
Fukuoka
Prefecture, Saga
Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and Ooita Prefecture in June 1953. The torrential rain of the rainy season amounted more than 1,000 mm on Aso
and Hikosan mountains, produced the great flood to many rivers such as Chikugo River
and the toll of more than 1,000 people dead and missing. 450.000 houses were flooded and 1,000,000 people suffered from the flood. The fundamental change of flood control in the Kyushu
area was needed and the standards of flood control have been taken against further floods.
pressed the rainy season front to the Tsushima Strait
. At the same time, an anticyclone from China moved to Kyushu
pressing the front to Yakushima
. The rainy season front was pressed both from west and south, and stayed in the Mountain Aso
around June 23, and the front was stimulated by the high temperature air from the anticyclones. Low-pressure areas passed in succession from Korea and Tsushima, which usually would have stayed in Yakushima.
Shirakawa Suigai in Japanese
, Fukuoka
and Saga
prefectures in Japan. With a total length of 143 kilometres(89 mi), it is the longest river on Kyushu
. It flows from Mount Aso and empties into the Ariake Sea
. The river is important to industry, with twenty electrical power plants located along its banks, as well as the major city of Kurume in Fukuoka
Prefecture.
City. Not only National Safety Forces(which later became Land Force), but also American soldiers helped. The people in the flooded areas greatly appreciated the supply of free food and water, while they thought the flood was a natural disaster and could not be helped.
ta River), Ishiharagawa Dam, Ooishi Dam, Jouharagawa Dam, Hyugakami Dam, Masubuchi Dam, Aburagi Dam, and Jin-ya Dam. In 2009, the countermeasures were again under review in view of the global warming
and heat island phenomenon and the outbreaks of heavy rainfall in Northern Kyushu in 2009.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
Prefecture, Saga
Saga
Sagas, are stories in Old Norse about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, etc.Saga may also refer to:Business*Saga DAB radio, a British radio station*Saga Airlines, a Turkish airline*Saga Falabella, a department store chain in Peru...
Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and Ooita Prefecture in June 1953. The torrential rain of the rainy season amounted more than 1,000 mm on Aso
ASO
-Geography:* Aso , a river in Italy* Aso, Kumamoto, Japan* Mount Aso, a mountain in Japan* Aso Rock, a large outcrop on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria-Medicine:* Allele-specific oligonucleotide* Atherosclerosis obliterans* Anti-streptolysin O...
and Hikosan mountains, produced the great flood to many rivers such as Chikugo River
Chikugo River
The flows through Kumamoto, Ōita, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures in Japan. With a total length of , it is the longest river on Kyūshū. It flows from Mount Aso and empties into the Ariake Sea. It is also nicknamed "Chikushijirō"...
and the toll of more than 1,000 people dead and missing. 450.000 houses were flooded and 1,000,000 people suffered from the flood. The fundamental change of flood control in the Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
area was needed and the standards of flood control have been taken against further floods.
Name of the flood
- The name of the flood remains unsettled. In Kumamoto PrefectureKumamoto Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.- History :Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system...
, Shirakawa Great Flood or 6.26 Flood is usually used, while the name of the flood differs from literature to literature. In Kitakyushu city, they use 「北九州大水害」, or North Kyushu Great Flood. In the Japanese Wikipedia article,「昭和28年西日本水害」(1953, Nishinippon Flood) is used、based on the decision of the Western Japan Branch of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers. In this article, 1953 North Kyushu Flood is used, based on the areas of the flood.
Weather
In the early part of June 1953, a rainy season front (baiu zensen) stayed in the middle of Kyushu causing heavy rain, which went southward to Amami Oshima. On the other hand, a Pacific anticyclone present in the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
pressed the rainy season front to the Tsushima Strait
Tsushima Strait
is the eastern channel of the Korea Strait, which lies between Korea and Japan, connecting the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea.The Tsushima Strait is the broader eastern channel to the east and southeast of Tsushima Island, with the Japanese islands of Honshū to the east and northeast, and...
. At the same time, an anticyclone from China moved to Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
pressing the front to Yakushima
Yakushima
, one of the Ōsumi Islands, is an island of about 500 km² and roughly 15,000 islanders to the south of Kyūshū in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The Vincennes Strait separates it from Tanegashima. The highest point on the island is Miyanoura-dake at 1,935 metres...
. The rainy season front was pressed both from west and south, and stayed in the Mountain Aso
ASO
-Geography:* Aso , a river in Italy* Aso, Kumamoto, Japan* Mount Aso, a mountain in Japan* Aso Rock, a large outcrop on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria-Medicine:* Allele-specific oligonucleotide* Atherosclerosis obliterans* Anti-streptolysin O...
around June 23, and the front was stimulated by the high temperature air from the anticyclones. Low-pressure areas passed in succession from Korea and Tsushima, which usually would have stayed in Yakushima.
Flood in Kumamoto, 6.26 Great Flood
- In Kumamoto PrefectureKumamoto Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.- History :Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system...
, the central river Shirakawa flooded most severely, and people remember it by the name of 6.26 Suigai(flood). The factors of the 6.26 flood were: heavy rain in the Aso district(In Kurokawa mura), the rainfall reached 888.4 mm in 5 days, another factor being the soilSoilSoil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
of the areas; it contained layers rich in yona(volcanic ash) over lava; which easily liquefies on heavy rain.- A similar event was seen in 1993 Kagoshima Heavy Rain1993 Kagoshima Heavy Rain1993 Kagoshima Heavy Rain means a series of heavy torrential rains which hit Kagoshima, Japan with debris flow in the early part of August, 1993. The formal name in Japanese was 平成5年8月豪雨, or August 1993 Heavy Rain...
. .
- A similar event was seen in 1993 Kagoshima Heavy Rain
- On April 27, Mount AsoMount Asois the largest active volcano in Japan, and is among the largest in the world. It stands in Aso Kujū National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyūshū. Its peak is 1592 m above sea level. Aso has one of the largest caldera in the world...
erupted and a great amount of volcanic ash which fell was mixed with rain; producing peculiar debris flowDebris flowA debris flow is a fast moving, liquefied landslide of unconsolidated, saturated debris that looks like flowing concrete. It is differentiated from a mudflow in terms of the viscosity and textural properties of the flow. Flows can carry material ranging in size from clay to boulders, and may...
in the Kurokawa river and Shirakawa river merging into Shirakawa into Kumamoto. - The third factor was the Kumamoto city; the river Shirakawa was the so-called tenjo-kawa, or a ceiling river, namely, the river bed is higer than its surroundings such as Shimotori. These factors worsened the damage of the flood.
- 70 % of the then Kumamoto city was flooded, except the Kyomachi Hills and Kengun area. The central areas of Kumamoto City were 2.5 meters to 3 meters deep in muddy water. 15 bridges out of 17 in the city were carried away except Taiko Bridge and Choroku Bridge. Kogaibashi was carried away with 40 inhabitants.
- The disposal of 60,000,000,000 tons of muddy soil presented big problems; 116 areas including a moatMoatA moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
of the Kumamoto CastleKumamoto Castleis a hilltop Japanese castle located in Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a large and extremely well fortified castle. The is a concrete reconstruction built in 1960, but several ancillary wooden buildings remain of the original castle. Kumamoto Castle is considered one of the three premier...
were used. The Kumamoto city gave subsidies to clean up the streets; 2000 yen for bicycle trailers, 4500 yen for 3-wheel cars and 10,750 yen for a truck; producing many small enterprizes with trucks. - A house for the aged was destroyed and 52 people were killed.
- The damage amounted to 17,300,000,000 yen (121,930,000,000 yen,now)
- Even in the southern part of AsoASO-Geography:* Aso , a river in Italy* Aso, Kumamoto, Japan* Mount Aso, a mountain in Japan* Aso Rock, a large outcrop on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria-Medicine:* Allele-specific oligonucleotide* Atherosclerosis obliterans* Anti-streptolysin O...
gunGunA gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
, the dead and missing amounted to 66.
Shirakawa Suigai in Japanese
Flood in Fukuoka Prefecture:Chikugogawa Area
The Chikugo River (筑後川, Chikugo-gawa) flows through Kumamoto, OitaOita
-Companies:*Oita Asahi Broadcasting, a Japanese broadcast network in Oita Prefecture, Japan*Oita Broadcasting System, a television company based in Ōita Prefecture, Japan-Education:*Oita Junior College, a private junior college in Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan...
, Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
and Saga
Saga
Sagas, are stories in Old Norse about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, etc.Saga may also refer to:Business*Saga DAB radio, a British radio station*Saga Airlines, a Turkish airline*Saga Falabella, a department store chain in Peru...
prefectures in Japan. With a total length of 143 kilometres(89 mi), it is the longest river on Kyushu
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. It flows from Mount Aso and empties into the Ariake Sea
Ariake Sea
The is a body of salt water surrounded by Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto Prefectures, all of which lie on the island of Kyūshū in Japan. It is the largest bay in Kyūshū. Its deepest point is only about 50 m deep, and extreme tides exceed 4 m. It is used for aquaculture, with nori...
. The river is important to industry, with twenty electrical power plants located along its banks, as well as the major city of Kurume in Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
Prefecture.
- 147 people were killed in the areas of Chikugo RiverChikugo RiverThe flows through Kumamoto, Ōita, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures in Japan. With a total length of , it is the longest river on Kyūshū. It flows from Mount Aso and empties into the Ariake Sea. It is also nicknamed "Chikushijirō"...
; all areas of TsukushiTsukushiTsukushi may refer to:*Tsukushi Province, old Japanese province, subsequently divided into**Chikuzen Province, old Japanese province, part of Fukuoka Prefecture without south and east Fukuoka...
plain were flooded, and the Yoake dam which was under construction, the bank of Kasegawa, and the bank of Yabegawa, the area of Homan Gawa were also flooded. 80 percent of Kurume city was flooded; in the center of the city, water was 1 meter deep, 3 meters deep at the deepest. This flood is called one of the three worst floods, including that of 1890 and that of 1921. - The total damage amounted to 79,300,000,000 yen, which was equivalent to twice the yearly badget of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Amounts of Precipitation
| Point of Measurement | TotalAmount(June 25–29) | Amount on maximum precipitation day |
|---|---|---|
| Uenoda, Ooita-ken | 1,148.5 | 400.0(June 26) |
| Miyahara, Kumamoto-ken | 1,002.6 | 426.2(June 25) |
| Oguni, Kumamoto-ken | 994.6 | 433.6(June 25) |
| Yabe, Fukuoka-ken | 934.2 | 395,0(June 25) |
| Nogami, Ooita-ken | 929.7 | 364.0(June 25) |
| Kurokawa, Kumamoto-ken | 888.4 | 500.2(June 26) |
| Hita, Ooita-ken | 705.6 | 292.4(June 25) |
| Ooita,Ooita-ken | 698.5 | 223.1(June 26) |
| Moji,Fukuoka-ken | 646.1 | 398.3(June 28) |
| Fukuoka, Fukuoka-ken | 621.4 | 307.8(June 25) |
| Kumamoto, Kumamoto-ken | 595.9 | 411.9(June 26) |
| Saga,Saga-ken | 587.1 | 366.5(June 25) |
| Kurume, Fukuoka-ken | 564.3 | 308.7(June 25) |
| Iizuka, Fukuoka-ken | 534.8 | 235.5(June 25) |
Damage
The Japanese Government took appropriate measures comparable with those took for typhoons in 1948. The 5th Yoshida Cabinet (Government) placed " Nishinihon (West Japan) flood countermeasure center" in FukuokaFukuoka
Fukuoka most often refers to the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture.It can also refer to:-Locations:* Fukuoka, Gifu, a town in Gifu Prefecture, Japan* Fukuoka, Toyama, a town in Toyama Prefecture, Japan...
City. Not only National Safety Forces(which later became Land Force), but also American soldiers helped. The people in the flooded areas greatly appreciated the supply of free food and water, while they thought the flood was a natural disaster and could not be helped.
The damage published by the National Regional Police Fukuoka Center
| Prefecture | Dead Persons | Missing Persons | Injured Persons | Houses swept away | Half destructed | Flooded above floor | Flooded partly | Amounts of damage(in 100,000,000yen) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka-ken | 259 | 27 | 1,402 | 1,321 | 829 | 12,116 | 92,532 | 119,127 | 793 |
| Saga-ken | 59 | 3 | 337 | 319 | 108 | 4,425 | 37,895 | 38,053 | 249 |
| Nagasaki-ken | 59 | 3 | 337 | 319 | 108 | 4,425 | 37,895 | 38,053 | 249 |
| Kumamoto-ken | 339 | 198 | 558 | 1,009 | 850 | 10,412 | 49,038 | 39,607 | 850 |
| Ooita-ken | 55 | 13 | 239 | 333 | 653 | 1,435 | 6,179 | 18,513 | 178 |
Countermeasures
1953 was the year of great disasters; the heavy rain in the south Kishu area, Wakayama Prefecture, with 1,046 people dead and missing and in the Minami Yamashiro area(105 people were killed). The causes were attributed to reckless deforestation, and the lack of water control after the second world war. The damaged Yoake Dam was investigated but the inadequate water control of the upper river was found to blame. The Japanese Government decided to follow America and its Tenessey Valley Corporation and started to build many dams such as, Matsubara Dam, Shimauch Tsutsumi (Chikugo River), Shimouke Dam (Tsue River), Ooishi, Harazuru, Sennenbunsuiro (Chikugo River), Chikugoooseki, Terauchi Dam (Sata River), Ishiharagawa Dam, Ooishi Dam, Jouharagawa Dam, Hyugakami Dam, Masubuchi Dam, Aburagi Dam, and Jin-ya Dam. In 2009, the countermeasures were again under review in view of the global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
and heat island phenomenon and the outbreaks of heavy rainfall in Northern Kyushu in 2009.
See also
- History of Kumamoto PrefectureHistory of Kumamoto PrefectureThe outline of the history of Kumamoto Prefecture is described herein. Kumamoto Prefecture is an eastern half of Hinokuni , corresponding to the Higo Province as called in days gone by. Exceptions are the part of Kuma gun or Kuma Districts of Japan which had once been included in Sagara Domain and...