GEO
207 |
A Tokyo resident describes the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. |
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 7:32 AM Hello from Japan, May 11th marked the 2 month anniversary since the earthquakes and tsunami hit Japan. I wanted to give you my latest update (from my perspective): People here are slowly trying to get back to work, are finding some bottled water in the stores and getting basic items necessary for any future possible earthquakes. It was mentioned by experts that the earthquakes we sometimes still feel are just a taste of what Tokyo is predicted to still get in the “near” future (a predicted level 7!!). It is unnerving to hear that to say the least. However, people seem prepared for the earthquake but worry about the tsunami and the radiation from the nuclear plants. Yes, nuclear plants are still not contained. It is a mess. The plants are still radioactive and there is still an evacuation of many miles from this area. You are also probably aware that the tsunami affected areas have so much debris that much has not been cleared out. There is debris being piled up a certain distance from this site. However, if another tsunami hits, the debris will be washed back. This is because when the earthquake hit, the land not only moved many feet southwest but also 4 feet LOWER. So, the lowered land as well as the damaged walls that kept waves out means there is no defense against ANY tsunami or even in some place regular tides. At least 1 city is flooded twice a day with the normal tides. With the rainy season coming in June, it will only get worse. The up side of the “new” life here is that there are many stations now set up to get people to fill out paperwork-to start a life again-homes to be rebuilt, businesses to restart, medical insurance claims to be reimbursed, etc. Japan is very much in debt with these tremendous losses-of life and structures. There are many people who are still trying to get back any items lost in the earthquake/tsunami, to pray over lost ones in the areas that were their homes, trying to make sense of things and trying to piece together their lives.As for this family, we are going to work or going to school. We have a rhythm again-but there is a constant reminder of March 11th everywhere we go-less trains in use to save electricity, lower or no lights in some shops or train stations, less escalators or ticket machines used at the train stations, restrictions of how much water is bought at one time, many stores/restaurants have a donation can to put money in for the affected areas, many people are looking out more for others that need help such as the elderly struggling up stairs, giving a seat on the train for those that need it, giving their place in line to pregnant mothers who need to use the elevator and the list goes on. The main fear I have is from radiation and its long term affect because there is never an end to the nuclear plants’ problems. Food at the store makes me nervous because I don’t have confidence that these food items are radiation free. Radiation, as is documented in history, has not only a long term effect on food grown near radiation infected places for over long periods but it goes air born as well. Also, if there is a big earthquake and the plants are affected and pour out radiation, it is very difficult to get out of Yokohama/Tokyo with the dense population. So, this unknown danger scares me the most at the moment. I do want to thank all of you for your emails and telephone calls and for your continued prayers for the many in Japan that have lost so much. Thank you for your concern. From, The ********* Family |