Kumamoto Evacuees Endure Heat and Shelter Disparities

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Temperatures continued to climb in earthquake-hit areas of Kumamoto Prefecture on August 3.

In Kumamoto City's Chuo Ward, the mercury reached 40.3°C (104.5°F) in the afternoon—the first time the temperature there has exceeded 40°C—creating dangerous conditions. Residents pressed on with recovery work despite the extreme heat.

Disparities in living conditions have become increasingly apparent. Access to air conditioning, beds and other basic amenities varies significantly between shelters.

Similar problems have emerged after past disasters, making it an urgent priority to improve shelter conditions and help prevent disaster-related deaths.

Sweltering Conditions

"I can't wait for sunset," said a man in his 40s staying at Kagami Elementary School in Yatsushiro City, looking exhausted.

Curtains remained closed in the school gymnasium to block direct sunlight, turning the space into what he described as a steam bath. With no cots or beds available, he slept on a gym mat.

"I was sweating constantly and couldn't sleep at all," he said.

Evacuees were not moved into air-conditioned classrooms until July 31, after electricity had been restored.

Privacy is another concern. Yukari Matsumura, 50, who is staying at the shelter with her sixth-grade daughter, shares a classroom with three other households.

With no partitions separating families, everyone lives in full view of one another. Even in the summer heat, she wraps herself in a blanket to change clothes.

Gaps in Preparedness

At Oe Community Center in Kumamoto City's Chuo Ward, where about 20 people are staying, the shelter has air conditioning, along with water and emergency food supplies.

Although these were not available immediately after the earthquake, partitions, portable cots and cardboard beds arrived relatively quickly.

A woman in her 40s, who stays at the shelter only at night because of the risk of aftershocks, said, "It's comfortable and easy to stay here. I can rest with peace of mind. It's much better than it was 10 years ago."

According to the Kumamoto Prefectural Government, lessons from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake led to improvements at evacuation shelters, particularly in Kumamoto City, including the installation of air conditioning and expanded emergency food stockpiles.

However, municipalities hardest hit by the latest earthquake—including Uki City, Yatsushiro City and Hikawa Town—had not completed similar upgrades, according to a prefectural official.

Requests for additional relief supplies continue to pour in from affected communities, while heavy traffic across the prefecture has slowed recovery efforts.

"We sincerely regret the disparities between shelters and want to address them as quickly as possible," the official said.

Differences in meals, facilities, and overall living conditions also became a major issue after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, underscoring the continuing challenge of ensuring that all disaster survivors receive adequate support.