At least 80 underpasses in prefectural capitals across Japan have seen vehicles submerged in floodwater over the past decade, according to a Kyodo News survey released on October 12.
The survey was conducted to shed light on the extent of flooding at underpasses — locations that often become risk "blind spots" during heavy rainfall, particularly as extreme weather events increase in Japan.
The findings show that deep flooding that makes vehicles immobile or traps them is not confined to a few localities, but occurs in prefectural capitals — the administrative and economic centers of each prefecture — nationwide.
Kyodo News based the findings on the survey published the same day, which recorded the specific figure of 80 underpasses. More detailed data on individual areas, causes and the extent of damage was not fully disclosed in the initial information.
