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Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-03 11:06 UTC → 2026-09-16 19:49 UTC · added removed

Japan is experiencing significant water shortages across multiple regions due to low rainfall and insufficient snowfall. In early August, the Miboro Dam in Gifu Prefecture saw water levels drop to approximately 30% of normal volume, threatening irrigation for 12,000 hectares across six cities in Toyama. By mid-August, the drought impacted additional areas. In Ishikawa Prefecture, the Tedorigawa Dam’s storage rate fell to 24%, prompting restrictions on nighttime agricultural water use. Simultaneously, in the Shikoku region, the Sakeura Dam in Kochi Prefecture reached a storage rate of 36.8%, leading the Yoshino River system water use council to initiate a third round of intake restrictions, including a 50% reduction in water supplies to Kagawa and an 18% reduction to Tokushima. As of late August, the crisis has expanded to Miyazaki, Aichi, Ehime, and Fukui Prefectures. In Miyazaki, the Hirosawa Dam reported a storage rate of 21% on August 20, while the Hamonose Dam in Kobayashi City fell to 23%, leading to scheduled cessations of water distribution to rice paddies starting September 5. In Aichi, the Uren Dam reached 13.8% storage. In Ehime, Matsuyama City reported monthly precipitation at only 15% of the seasonal average, impacting the Ishitegawa Dam and groundwater. average. In Fukui, the Kuzuryu Dam dropped to 19.60%, prompting an initial drought response alert. 19.60%. In Oita Prefecture, the Yabakei Dam situation has worsened, with the storage rate dropping dropped below 30% by August 27. In Nakatsu City, the first intake restrictions in eight years have been implemented, affecting local education and prompting considerations for “pressure reduction water supply”. In Nagasaki Prefecture, Sasebo City has implemented pressure reduction water supply measures in its southern districts, affecting approximately 42,000 households. This follows By mid-September, the shortage reached Saga Prefecture. Following a significant drop in water levels at the Shimonohara Dam, which fell below 60% due Ryumon Dam storage rate to a lack of rainfall since July 2026. 49.18% in Arita Town, Imari City implemented pressure-reduced water supply on September 15, affecting approximately 17,000 households. This marks the first such measure in Imari City in 32 years. In Arita Town, pressure reduction has already been implemented for nearly all households.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-16 19:49 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan
  2. 2026-09-03 11:06 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan
  3. 2026-08-31 15:32 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan
  4. 2026-08-28 12:07 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan
  5. 2026-08-26 07:29 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan
  6. 2026-08-21 21:49 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan
  7. 2026-08-20 21:06 UTC Water shortages and dam restrictions in Japan

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