RESEARCH ON PROPER FLOOD INFORMATION SERVICE BASED ON THE FLOOD CAUSED BY TYPHOON HAGIBIS IN 2019 IN THE UPPER ABUKUMA RIVER BASIN

Abstract

On October 12 to 13, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis (otherwise called East Japan Typhoon or Typhoon No. 19 in the first year of Reiwa in Japan) attacked and caused heavy rain in wide areas of Japan. In the upper Abukuma River Basin, the flood with record-breaking water levels, rising very rapidly and lasting a long time, caused substantial damage including 31 breaches of national and prefectural levees. This paper provides a study on proper flood information services, including irregular and untypical ones like direct hotlines to the mayors, as well as regular service, such as the legislative flood forecast. It is based on an overview of the disaster and damage with the response of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and an analysis of actual records of flood forecasts and other flood information services to the municipalities, compared with actual evacuation support activities by the municipalities.