⚠️ Before reading this page
- If you have symptoms, contact an emergency consultation service or a medical facility
- Follow any instructions from your local government or shelter first
- This page contains general information only and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment
🚨 [Aug 15 update] Damage, shelters and damage certificatesImportant
- According to Kumamoto City's 21st headquarters report as of 12:00 on August 14, there were 0 deaths, people whose safety was unknown or missing persons, 4 seriously injured, 58 moderately injured and 12 slightly injured.
- Applications for damage certificates totaled 10,142; certificates issued totaled 3,429. Housing-damage assessments covered 1,215 buildings.
- As of 06:00 on August 14, 15 shelters were open, with 179 households and 273 people. There were no car-sleeping shelters and no pet-friendly shelters.
- The city's water outages and discolored-water issue have been resolved. No new official emergency-water locations or hours were confirmed on the morning of August 14.
- JR Shinkansen service between Kumamoto and Shin-Minamata and local service between Uto and Yatsushiro remain suspended; reopening during August is expected to be difficult.
- No new official list of open medical facilities or pharmacies, or new earthquake-related weather information, was confirmed. These items remain on hold.
- Kumamoto City disaster information Kumamoto Waterworks Bureau Kumamoto Prefecture information
🚨 [Aug 10 morning update] Latest shelter, water, transport and heat informationImportant
- If you are sheltering at home and need help because of home damage, cleanup or repairs, injury or illness, caregiving or disability, please contact Kumamoto City. See the official page for online applications and consultation options.
- As of 06:00 on August 9, Kumamoto City had 35 open shelters, with 257 households and 371 people. The pet-friendly shelter is at Suizenji Stadium and the car-sleeping location is at Aqua Dome. Confirm the official portal before going, as availability may change.
- The city reports that the water outage ended at 19:30 on August 3 and discolored water ended at 16:00 on August 3. Check the official Waterworks Bureau site for any new water problems or emergency-water information.
- JR services remain suspended between Kumamoto and Shin-Minamata on the Shinkansen and between Uto and Yatsushiro on local lines; resumption during August is expected to be difficult. The Midori River right-bank road closure was lifted at 12:00 on August 6.
- Highs near 35°C and tropical nights are expected through around August 15. Watch for strong winds and high waves offshore of Amakusa through August 10. A dryness advisory is also in effect across Kumamoto Prefecture. Watch for landslides or flooding even with small amounts of rain in areas with weakened ground.
- Kumamoto City: Support for people sheltering at home Disaster response headquarters information JR Kyushu service information
[Past information: Aug 5 update] Free bathing, damage certificates and infection prevention
- Additional free bathing facilities have been added. Evacuees, people sleeping in vehicles, and people whose home bathrooms or hot-water systems cannot be used may apply. Residents affected elsewhere in Kumamoto Prefecture may also use the service.
- Temporary damage-certificate counters will open on August 8, 9 and 11 for homes, businesses and agriculture-related damage.
- At shelters, wash hands, wear a mask, ventilate rooms and keep toilets clean. During cleanup, wear long sleeves, sturdy gloves, thick-soled shoes, goggles and a mask.
- Free bathing Damage certificates Infection prevention
[Past information: Aug 5] Transport and medical support
- The Hisatsu Orange Railway resumed service between Minamata and Sendai stations from the first train today, August 5. The Yatsushiro–Minamata section remains suspended, with replacement bus service being prepared for around August 10.
- Aboard the vessel "Hakuo II," moored at Yatsushiro Port, medical support — including internal medicine consultations and heatstroke treatment — will newly begin today, August 5, at 14:00, in addition to bathing and rest facilities.
- Typhoon No. 13 is expected to approach Okinawa/Amami around August 7-8. Kumamoto Prefecture is unlikely to enter its storm-force wind zone, but please continue to watch for landslide risk in areas with loosened ground, high heat from foehn winds, and strong winds/high waves.
[Past information: morning of Aug 4] Aftershock and heat warning
- At around 5:32 AM on August 4, an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 4 (in Uki City) and magnitude 4.1 occurred, centered in the Kumamoto region. There is no tsunami risk from this earthquake (JMA announcement).
- Repeated shaking has severely loosened the ground and buildings. Do not approach leaning buildings or cliffs/slopes.
- Yesterday, August 3, Kumamoto City recorded 40.3°C — the first time in observation history that Kumamoto Prefecture recorded such extreme heat. Dangerous heat is continuing, so please make heatstroke prevention your top priority.
🩸 Beware of blood clots in cars/sheltersImportant
Staying in the same position for a long time can cause blood clots in your leg veins, which can travel to the lungs and be fatal — this is called "economy class syndrome." During the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, several people died from this condition after sleeping in their cars.
- Every 1-2 hours, walk a little outside the car or in the shelter, rotate your ankles, and stretch your calves
- Drink water frequently (limiting water to avoid using the toilet has the opposite effect)
- Wear loose clothing that doesn't restrict your legs
- If you feel calf pain, swelling, or sudden shortness of breath, call an ambulance or see a doctor immediately
Self-check: Check if only one leg is significantly swollen, if pressing leaves a slow-recovering dent, if your calf feels warm or hurts when pressed, or if one leg suddenly got thicker by evening compared to morning. If any of these apply, avoid forcing movement and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
🌡️ Beware of heatstroke (during power outages/AC failure)Important
With power outages during the hot late-July season, heatstroke risk is high even indoors. Elderly people and children need special attention. Temperatures on August 1-2 may reach 39-40°C, so extra caution is especially needed.
- Drink water and take in salt frequently, before you feel thirsty
- Open windows for ventilation, cool your body with a fan or wet towel
- Never leave people or pets in a car during the day, even briefly
- If you feel dizzy, have a headache, feel nauseous, or your consciousness becomes unclear, move to a cool place immediately and call for emergency help if needed
- Don't just take someone's word for it when they say "I'm fine." People tend to push themselves too hard during cleanup work, so actively encourage others to take a break.
- In areas where power has been restored, please use your air conditioner without worrying about the electricity bill. Protecting your health comes first.
- From August 3 onward, watch for evening thunderstorms and rising river levels as well (Kumamoto City Disaster Task Force).
- ⚠️August 3 (Mon) is expected to reach a scorching 40°C. Extreme heat is expected to continue through August 6, so please take extra care of your health (Kumamoto City's 9th Disaster Task Force meeting).
- Typhoon No. 13 is expected to track near the Ogasawara Islands around August 4, then approach the Nansei Islands by the 7th. After that it is expected to move into the East China Sea, and Kumamoto Prefecture is unlikely to enter its storm-force wind zone. Even so, please continue to watch for landslide risk in areas with loosened ground, high heat from foehn winds, and strong winds/high waves (Kumamoto City's 9th Disaster Task Force meeting).
- The closure of the Midorikawa right-bank road between National Route 3 and Shakado Bridge was lifted at 12:00 on August 6.
- Kumamoto City list of "Cooling Shelters" (in Japanese)
Air-conditioned facilities open to the public for free. Listed by ward
- Kumamoto Prefecture Cooling Shelter digital map
Find any of the prefecture's 564 cooling shelters and 307 heatstroke-prevention rest stops on your phone
⚡ Watch for electrical fires when power comes backImportant
If power has been restored in your area, or you're about to return home, check the following before flipping the breaker.
- Check for fallen appliances, water-damaged devices, or damaged/frayed power cords
- If nothing looks wrong, flip the breaker, then stay nearby and watch for unusual smells or smoke
- If in doubt at all, contact your power company (Kyushu Electric Power Transmission and Distribution) or the fire department
🚽 Using a toilet when there is no water
- Double-line the toilet bowl with garbage bags (large plastic bags), lay down newspaper or absorbent sheets, then use it
- Use solidifying agent if you have it, and tie the bag tightly before disposing of it as burnable waste (follow local government instructions)
- In areas where sewer pipe damage has been confirmed, do not try to flush with water. Check instructions from your local government or shelter (blockages can also occur when damage status is unknown)
🦷 Oral care during water outages (preventing aspiration pneumonia)
Without water, tooth brushing and rinsing tend to be neglected, but increased bacteria in the mouth raises the risk of aspiration pneumonia, especially in elderly people. You can still care for your mouth with very little water.
- Brush your teeth and rinse with about a cup of water (even just swishing water in your mouth helps)
- If you truly have no water, wrapping a clean piece of gauze or handkerchief around your finger and wiping your teeth and gums can remove dirt
- If you have liquid toothpaste or mouthwash, use it since it doesn't require water
- Remove dentures to wash when possible, and store them without letting them dry out too much
🚨 Beware of disaster-related scams and malicious sales tacticsImportant
After a disaster, scams increase — such as businesses charging high prices while claiming "the government will subsidize this so you pay nothing" or "insurance covers this," or fraud collecting money under the guise of donations.
💰 Keep some cash on hand
During power outages, many stores can't use registers, electronic payment terminals, or ATMs, so cashless payment may not be available. Having some cash (including coins) on hand lets you shop right away at stores that reopen.
🚰 What to bring when receiving water supply
- Prepare containers to carry water, like a poly tank or large empty plastic bottles (water trucks do not provide containers)
- Water is heavier than you'd expect when carrying it (18L of water weighs about 18kg), so a cart or trolley helps
- Wait times vary greatly by location, so check the most recently updated sources, like the Kumamoto City Waterworks Bureau's official site, before heading out
🍚 Eating during water/power outages
- A portable gas stove/cartridge allows for hot meals. Use it in a well-ventilated area
- If the power outage continues, eat the most perishable items from your fridge first
- Lining plates with plastic wrap reduces dishwashing and saves water
- Use emergency food that's closer to its expiration date first, then restock later (rolling stock method)
🙋 Need help cleaning up? Volunteers available from August 4
The Kumamoto City Disaster Volunteer Center began offering support on August 4 (Tue). It's for households that can't clean up on their own (e.g., elderly-only households, households with a disabled member).
🏠 Temporary municipal housing (updated August 8)
For those whose homes were damaged half-destroyed or worse by the earthquake and can no longer live there.
- Occupancy period: in principle up to 6 months (can be extended up to 1 year). Move-in available from around August 14 (Fri)
- Fees: rent, deposit, and parking fee (if available) are waived. Utility and management fees are the resident's responsibility
- Bring: damage certificate (copy OK, can submit later), application forms, ID
- On Sunday, August 9, applications are accepted 10:00–16:00 on the 14th floor of Kumamoto City Hall. From August 10, applications are accepted weekdays (not weekends or holidays), 10:00–16:00. Check the linked page for availability and venue.
- Kumamoto City "Temporary provision of municipal housing" (in Japanese)
List of eligible complexes, application documents, reception venue and hours
🚢 Bathing & medical support aboard "Hakuo II" (from Aug 5)
Aboard the ferry "Hakuo II," moored at Yatsushiro Port, you can access bathing and rest facilities, plus internal medicine consultations and heatstroke treatment.
🚃 JR service information (as of August 8)
📸 For damage certificates: "take photos before cleaning up"
Issuing a damage certificate requires confirming the damage. Taking photos of damaged areas before starting repairs or cleanup will make the application process smoother later.
- Take both overall photos of the building (from 4 directions) and close-up photos of damaged areas
- If possible, also keep photos of damage to household belongings
- Contact your insurance company as early as possible, before cleanup (earthquake riders on fire insurance may be applicable)
📱 Making your phone battery last longer
- Lower your screen brightness, turn off background app refresh for unnecessary apps
- Keep your phone in airplane mode and only turn it on when you need to contact someone (battery drains especially fast in areas with weak signal)
- Avoid watching unnecessary videos or excessive social media use
- Use portable batteries or free charging spots like CHARGESPOT
📵 How to handle information (social media fatigue and misinformation)
- You may want to keep checking social media when anxious, but unverified information increases stress. Focus on official sources (Japan Meteorological Agency, local government, NHK, etc.)
- For alarming posts like "XX is dangerous" or "do XX right now," verify with official announcements before acting
- If you're worried about an acquaintance's safety, register information on web171 or Person Finder, and conserve your energy by limiting frequent phone calls or social media checks
- AI-generated fake videos and old footage from other disasters being reused as if from this earthquake have been confirmed on social media. Before sharing shocking footage or unverified conspiracy theories (like "artificial earthquake" claims), check with official sources first
👨👩👧 Considerations for elderly people, children, and pets
- Elderly people may not easily notice dehydration, heatstroke, or worsening chronic conditions, so people around them should check in frequently
- Children may become unstable from the shock of the earthquake. Hugging them and spending more time close to them helps provide reassurance
- If evacuating with pets, some shelters require cages or separate spaces. Don't forget food, water, and waste supplies
🧠 Mental health
It's a natural reaction to have insomnia, loss of appetite, or feel more emotional during ongoing strong shaking and aftershocks. It's not a sign of weakness. Don't push yourself — rest when you can. It's also important to talk to people around you and rely on professional consultation services.
🌅 Support is arriving from across the country
- Saibu Gas mobilized 77 employees to visit all 481 households in Kumamoto City affected by the gas supply stoppage, completing all visits by the morning after the disaster. Restoration work is steadily progressing.
- Kyushu Electric Power, the Self-Defense Forces, fire departments, and police are all working at full capacity on power restoration, water supply support, and rescue operations.
- Donations and relief supplies are pouring in from across the country, and many organizations including AAR Japan, Peace Winds Japan, and Civic Force are preparing to enter the affected area.
- Ten years after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the people of Kumamoto have always come together to rebuild. This time will be no different — you will surely reclaim your daily life.
- Not "it'll work itself out," but "we'll make it work out, together" — the whole country is standing with Kumamoto.
- Support has also arrived from areas affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, as a way of "giving back." Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture sent a large restroom truck to Uki City, and Noto Town sent portable toilets, water bags, and kitchen cars to Hikawa Town and Yatsushiro City.