Self-Defense Forces are evacuating isolated residents by helicopter on September26 from the area where the road is cut off due to heavy rain in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture.

The SDF helicopters are transporting five or six people each time.

The evacuated residents looked relieved after leaving the isolated area.

The evacuation operations were conducted in the Nishiho district in Wajima.

The road leading to the area was cut off due to landslides and its residents have been isolated for five days.

The residents say they had neither electricity nor tape water.

According to the city, about 40 residents will be evacuated from this district.

Male evacuee:

We have neither electricity nor tap water. I stayed at home but could not go shopping.　I hope electricity will resume.　We are in the same boat so to speak.

Female evacuee:

　　I’m relieved. My son has gone to work but not been able to return home, so I was afraid of being alone.

An evacuee said, “Even though we evacuated during the earthquake in January, we never expected to evacuate again.”

The helicopter transport is scheduled to be completed by early afternoon.

After that, the residents will transfer to buses and evacuate to Wajima Junior High School.

As of September 25, a total of 157 people were isolated in the affected area.