Preparations are underway in central Japan to repair temporary housing hit by recent torrential rains. The structures were built for people affected by the powerful New Year’s Day earthquake.
Flooding triggered by record rain hit the area more than a week ago. Temporary housing was flooded in five locations in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
On Monday, residents took procedures to temporarily move out of their housing in two of the locations. Prefectural officials intend to make the units habitable again by the end of the year.
In the Takudamachi 2nd apartment complex, all 142 units have sustained damage.
City officials received keys from the residents after confirming that they had not left valuables and other items behind and that they had canceled their contracts with utilities.
Prefectural and city officials say the residents of the units have moved into emergency shelters and other accommodation. The officials plan to conduct a survey before the repair work begins.
A resident in his 50s said he has concerns, but he plans to return to the temporary housing with his mother after the work is completed because she uses a nearby hospital.
Another resident in his 60s said he will get scared every time it rains. He said that’s why he has no intention of returning to the temporary housing.
Prefectural officials also plan to restore temporary housing in the three other locations. But they say they do not know when that will happen.