30-1-2025(TOKYO) Japanese officials have issued an extraordinary appeal to more than 1.2 million residents to restrict their water usage as emergency services battle against time to rescue a lorry driver trapped in a massive sinkhole.
The dramatic incident unfolded during Tuesday morning’s rush hour in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, when the ground suddenly gave way, engulfing a goods vehicle and its elderly driver. The situation has since deteriorated, with the original cavity merging with a second hole, creating an even more treacherous rescue environment.
Local authorities are now faced with a complex challenge as they attempt to reach the 74-year-old driver, who has not been heard from since Tuesday afternoon. The rescue operation has been severely complicated by ground instability and persistent water infiltration, forcing officials to take unprecedented measures.
A senior Saitama Prefecture representative told reporters, “We’re asking our citizens to make significant sacrifices in their daily routines to support this critical rescue mission. While we understand the inconvenience, our primary focus remains saving a life.”
The emergency services’ technical difficulties have been exacerbated by the merger of two sinkholes in the early hours of Thursday, creating a combined cavity approximately 10 metres wide and 6 metres deep. This development has forced rescue teams to abandon the use of heavy machinery due to the increased risk of further ground collapse.
In a detailed notice circulated to affected households, residents have been requested to minimise their water consumption, particularly for non-essential activities such as bathing and laundry. The prefecture has warned that excessive water usage could lead to sewage overflow, potentially compromising the entire rescue operation.
The crisis took a concerning turn on Wednesday when authorities were forced to discharge collected sewage into a nearby river, highlighting the severity of the infrastructure challenge. Officials have indicated that the restoration of normal sewage operations could be significantly delayed due to the complex nature of the rescue operation and subsequent repairs.
