Unazuki Lake road closed due to riverbank collapse

Heavy rainfall in Japan has caused significant infrastructure damage, leading to road closures and impacting local tourism. In Kurobe City, the collapse of a riverbank along the Yatazodani River has blocked the primary vehicular route to Unazuki Lake.

The damage, discovered following heavy rains in late July, has rendered the Yatazobashi Bridge unsafe for vehicles due to the instability of the bridge abutments. Consequently, access to Unazuki Lake is currently limited to pedestrians. This disruption has forced the cancellation of the ‘Unazuki Dam Lake Festival’ and has hindered the operation of local electric buses, causing concern for the Unazuki Onsen tourism industry during the summer season.

Local authorities plan to assess the extent of the damage after the Obon holiday to determine a restoration schedule. Meanwhile, the area remains under caution due to the risk of further landslides and flooding.