Could a giant underground river save Tokyo from torrential rain?
TOKYO -- Japan has been hit by a string of devastating rainstorms in recent years, including the latest record rainfall that caused extensive damage i
Japan's capital, Tokyo, has faced a series of devastating rainstorms in recent years, leading to extensive damage in Chiba Prefecture. To combat this, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is contemplating the construction of a massive underground river to capture water overflowing from swollen rivers. This idea was first proposed in 1985 during Shunichi Suzuki's tenure as governor, and the concept resurfaced in 2021 under Governor Yuriko Koike's leadership.
The project involves creating an approximately 30-kilometer-long underground river beneath Tokyo's Ring Roads No. 7 and No. 8, connecting two existing tunnel-type flood-control reservoirs - the Shirako River and Kanda River-Ring Road No. 7. The system would discharge water into Tokyo Bay, significantly enhancing the city's resilience against increasingly severe rainstorms.
While the project's cost is substantial, experts argue that it could be a monumental step towards safeguarding the nation's capital.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
