Change of the Land Use and Characteristics of Flood Disasterby Heavy Rainfall in Mabi Town of Kurashiki City in July 2018

Abstract

From July 5-8, 2018, a heavy rainfall was generated by the Baiu-front in the Eastern region of the Okayama Prefecture. Three days precipitation (5-7, July) in Niimi and Mabi observatories were recorded 495.0 mm and 311 mm, respectively. In Mabicho, the Oda River and its tributaries, the Suemasa and Takama Rivers, overflowed due to heavy rainfall, killing 54 people in Kurashiki City (Mabicho). According to records, Mabicho has been a constant flood area since the Edo-era, but it has seen a rapid increase in population brought about by diversion of farmland to estate development starting in around 1973. Many of the new inhabitants who moved into Mabicho after this period had little understanding of the history of flood disaster, which caused delays in response and, as a result, expanded damages.