Thousands still in evacuation centers one month after Kumamoto quake

Temporary shelters developed by Nagoya Institute of Technology, which can be inflated and set up in about an hour, are seen on Thursday among homes in the town of Hikawa, Kumamoto Prefecture, that were destroyed by the July 28 earthquake. | JIJI

JIJI

Aug 28, 2026

KUMAMOTO – Nearly 2,500 people are still staying in evacuation centers amid scorching heat one month after a powerful earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture.

While recovery and reconstruction efforts are being made, challenges remain numerous, with water supply still disrupted in some regions.

According to the Kumamoto Prefectural Government’s disaster response headquarters, 38 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the July 28 quake while 33 remained seriously injured as of 2 p.m. Thursday. Two of the deaths are believed to have been classified as disaster-related, stemming from factors such as heatstroke.

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