Efforts steadily progress one month after Noto Peninsula earthquake, unprecedented disaster response underway

(Construction) - As one month is marked since the Noto Peninsula earthquake, reaching a seismic intensity of 7 on New Year's Day, the distinctive topography of this sparsely flat terrain surrounded by the sea has experienced a compounded disaster of tsunamis, fires, landslides, and liquefaction.

The impact has sprawled across a wide expanse of the Hokuriku region, predominantly affecting Ishikawa Prefecture. The peninsula, with limited routes, witnesses major roads severed in various locations. In response to this unprecedented and complex disaster, a concerted 24-hour effort, combining public and private resources, has been tirelessly underway for initial emergency restoration works. As the prefecture strives towards a vision of "creative reconstruction," a solid step forward is being taken.

Many efforts applied for the rescue

At the forefront of the restoration efforts, the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism declared a state of emergency immediately after the disaster. By the following day, they established dedicated communication lines with all local governments in the jurisdiction experiencing seismic intensity of 5 or above. Regional development bureaus nationwide, along with Tech Force and liaison officers, were deployed to facilitate emergency restoration and confirm essential supplies.

The restoration efforts have spanned across various infrastructures and buildings, including roads, rivers, flood control, coastlines, ports, water supply, and housing. The government has estimated the total damage cost at approximately ¥2.6 trillion. The immediate priority for the national and Ishikawa Prefectural governments was to secure routes resembling "teeth of a comb" that emergency vehicles could traverse. The Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, in collaboration with the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors, the Ishikawa Prefecture Construction Industry Association, and other member organizations, mobilized to fulfill this critical task.

Efforts steadily progress one month after Noto Peninsula earthquake, unprecedented disaster response underway

Given the challenging terrain of the peninsula and the substantial damage to the roads themselves, the restoration efforts faced significant obstacles. Nevertheless, as of 7:00 AM on January 30th, approximately 90% of the major arterial roads within the peninsula, including about 80% of the coastal section of National Route 249 spanning approximately 60 kilometers, have undergone emergency restoration. Ten routes leading to the coastal areas have been secured, offering vital access points for relief operations. (2024/02/01)