1Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
2Director General for Nuclear Disaster Management, Cabinet Office, Tokyo, Japan
3Adviser, Hazama Ando Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
4(ex-Director, River Environment Division, Water and Disaster Management Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Tokyo, Japan)
Online Published on 28 February, 2022.
In July 2018, a record-breaking heavy rainhit western part of Japan, leaving severe damages including 245 fatalities. 213 dams under the auspices of MLIT were engaged in flood control operation, and greatly contributed to the reduction of flood damages. Meanwhile, in case of 8 dams, the amount of rainfall was so huge that the dam operating officer was obliged to execute emergency spillway gate operation. Some of the downstream areas experienced severe inundation, as well as human damage.
In view of the growing concern that the climate change would increase the possibility of such extreme floods, flood control function of dams must be fully exploited, and local authorities and inhabitants concerned must take proper preparedness actions to save life.
In December 2018, Special Panel set up by MLIT finalized a report urging enhancement of flood control capability of dams and dissemination of related information, in preparation for the risk of extreme rainfall.
This paper briefly introduces the report, outlining the flood control activities at the 2018 flood event as well as the contents of the proposal which consists of three categories: (A) immediate action needed, (B) quick start needed, and (C) promotion of research/development and its application needed
Flood control operation, Emergency spillway gate operation, Evacuation information, Preliminary release, Dam upgrading in operation
