More than 2,000 remain in shelters months after Kumamoto earthquake

More than 2,000 people remained in evacuation shelters on Friday, August 28, a month after a powerful earthquake struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture, as extreme heat raised concerns over disaster-related deaths and authorities accelerated efforts to help survivors rebuild.

The Cabinet approved the release of 147.8 billion yen ($1.0 billion) in reserve funds from the fiscal 2026 budget to finance support measures for earthquake-hit areas. The package includes a travel subsidy covering Kyushu, the southwestern main island where Kumamoto is located.

The magnitude-7.1 earthquake on July 28 has left 38 people dead in the prefecture. The toll includes a woman in her 70s who died of suspected heatstroke after spending a night in a car.

As of Thursday, 2,460 people were still sheltering at 61 evacuation centres, according to officials, down from more than 10,000 at the peak of the disaster. Many other survivors continue to live in damaged homes.

The earthquake damaged an estimated 42,222 homes, leaving authorities racing to issue damage certificates needed by survivors to access government assistance while also constructing temporary housing.

With temperatures remaining exceptionally high, officials are concerned about additional deaths linked to conditions in the aftermath of the disaster, particularly among people continuing to live in evacuation shelters or damaged homes.

By Tamilla Hasanova