TOKYO, Apr 07 (News On Japan) –
Tokyo’s Ogouchi Dam, a key water supply for the capital, has fallen to its lowest degree for the reason that Heisei period, elevating issues over potential water shortages as rising temperatures intensify strain on provide.
Temperatures climbed throughout Japan on April sixth, with some areas recording summer-like circumstances, whereas one in all Tokyo’s principal water reservoirs edged nearer to a drought disaster.
Ogouchi Dam in Okutama, which might provide as much as 40 days of ingesting water for Tokyo residents when full, has dropped to lower than half its capability, equal to only 13.5 days of provide.
Nakamura Koichi, head of the Ogouchi Reservoir Management Office on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Waterworks, mentioned the extent is the bottom recorded for the reason that Heisei period, warning that requires water conservation could possibly be issued if ranges proceed to fall.
A visual white line alongside the dam wall marks the place water ranges as soon as stood, with the present degree measured at 62.7 meters—practically 25 meters beneath regular. Land that’s often submerged has now emerged, and a bridge that after floated on the reservoir is now accessible on foot.
The reservoir’s storage fee has fallen to 33.9 p.c, far beneath the extent wanted to maintain regular provide.
Visitors expressed concern, with one saying the scenario appeared severe and that stronger water-saving efforts can be essential.
Even after average rainfall over the weekend, the water degree rose by solely about 60 centimeters, equal to roughly 0.28 days of provide—simply seven hours of ingesting water for Tokyo’s inhabitants.
The Tama River system, which incorporates Ogouchi Dam, accounts for about 20 p.c of Tokyo’s water provide, whereas the Tone River system gives the remaining 80 p.c and is at present recovering resulting from snowmelt inflows.
Nakamura famous that an instantaneous water scarcity is unlikely, including that extended dry circumstances are additionally unlikely, and the town goals to take care of steady water provide.
However, different areas are already going through direct impacts from water shortages.
In Nara Prefecture, declining ranges at Ohtaki Dam have led to water restrictions for the primary time in 21 years, affecting roughly 880,000 folks throughout 24 municipalities.
In Aichi Prefecture, Ure Dam reached a storage fee of zero p.c in March, prompting Toyohashi and Toyokawa cities to change to pre-washed rice for college lunches at 112 elementary and junior excessive colleges beginning April twenty seventh.
As water shortages unfold, temperatures rose nationwide on April sixth.
Nagano City recorded 25 levels Celsius, marking its first summer season day of 2026, whereas central Tokyo skilled early summer season circumstances with a excessive of 23.7 levels at 11 a.m., similar to mid-May.
People strolling within the metropolis had been seen carrying parasols and carrying quick sleeves, with some ready for site visitors lights in shaded areas, creating scenes harking back to midsummer.
At a park in Tokyo’s Sumida Ward crowded with cherry blossom viewers, some sought aid close to fountains, with one customer saying they’d switched to quick sleeves and had been staying hydrated and resting within the shade.
Japan is predicted to see an early begin to summer season in 2026, with temperatures projected to rise above common throughout peak season and a rise in extraordinarily sizzling days anticipated.
Source: FNN