It was on 14 April when I
finally heard from Ritsuko, the landlady of Kami-no Ie, for the first time
after the disaster.
At that time, even we who
were in Sendai were not only facing food and petrol shortage but also suffering
from lack of lifeline – electricity, gas and water supplies were cut off.
The devastation in the
coastal areas was reported every day, and we began to hear about the safety of
our friends and acquaintances.
Just at the time, when
enough petrol supply was recovered, she called me at long last.
On 22nd April, we looked
for volunteers and managed to bring relief supplies to Tsukihama that is
located in Miyato, Higashi-Matsushima. Sanriku Expressway was packed with many
cars of the self-defence force and rescue corps from other prefectures.
After getting off Sanriku
Expressway, we drove along the embankment of Naruse River. There was lot of
debris that had been carried to the embankment by the tsunami. Cars were
swimming in the water, house-roofs, too.
As we got closer to the
coast, the mountains of debris were getting higher and higher. Even though the
embankment should have obstructed the flow of debris, there was even debris on
the other side of the bank.
The bank was not actually
collapsed, but the tsunami that came from the Nobiru coast, just went over the
bank and overflowed.
As turning right at the
estuary and heading towards the Nobiru coast, I expected to see a fire station,
a restaurant and a residential area of many fancy houses, then a “Kanpo-no Yado
(one of the hotels that Japan Postal Service Public Corporation used to own)” on
my right side.
However, what I saw struck
me speechless.
The road was temporary-made
and so narrow that a car could barely pass through, only a little asphalt
pavement was left.
The pinewood that used to
block the sight of the coastline was broken and washed away.
No house was to be seen,
but only the foundations of houses and pillars were left (by the tsunami).
I saw people standing on
the road. Some were engaged with construction works, some in patrolling.
The bridge near the port
was cut off, and so were their lifeline (electricity and water supplies as well
as telephone line).
Thus, Tsukihama, though we
could go there by land, has been isolated.
“Should I go to the
affected area? What if I just end up interfering? And what if entering the area
was restricted?” I was worried.
But the word of the
landlady of Kami-no Ie was a relief to my concerns.
“Anything can help! We have
nothing left here, you see? People will need many things to live once they
leave my tourist home. We appreciate your carrying relief materials to us!” the
landlady said gratefully.
Our will to help them
wasn’t a nuisance.
Since then, we have taken
journalists, people from university and women’s organisations to Tsukihama many
times.
Retrieval works in the
affected areas have progressed but only near the national routes and in big
cities.
In Tsukihama, electricity
is supplied but by temporary distribution equipment and the telephone lines are
still cut off.
Although their water supply was retrieved, they are
still not able to use their waterworks inside for the severe damage caused to
the Kami no Ie (this is the tourist home, their private house was swept away by
the tsunami). Their plumping fixture needs further repair.
On the telephone last
night, she was telling me that the construction of temporary housing in front
of her tourist home was in progress with great speed.
“They do it so fast. Just
amazing.”
“My husband is in Naruko
Onsen (hot spring) now. It will be my turn to go there next week. I’m excited.
So fortunate, aren’t we?”
“Even though the self-defence
force has gone now, we are given bento (box meals) every day.”
Ritsuko, the landlady, always
talks about things gratefully and there is always laughter.
I can only keep my eyes
open for them, but I do think it is important for all of us to know about the
current situation in Tsukihama.
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