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KUMAMOTO — Affordable internet-enabled cameras are being set up in various communities throughout Kumamoto Prefecture to assist residents in monitoring local conditions during disasters like intense rainfall.

Miniature cameras allow users to easily assess the risk of nearby roads and rivers using a smartphone. They are gaining recognition as a device that may aid in a grassroots strategy for disaster readiness, where local people take initiative in making quick evacuation choices.

A “Kuma Camera” was set up at a residence close to Lake Ezu in Kumamoto’s Higashi Ward on July 7 to provide real-time monitoring of conditions such as road flooding during heavy rainfall. This device was installed at the home of 55-year-old Michiyo Harada, who is responsible for disaster preparedness within the neighborhood association, by Takuma Sato, 29, the managing director of Kumaguma, a non-profit organization that advocates for the implementation of the Kuma Camera system in local areas.

Harada explained that the residential area near Lake Ezu, including her own neighborhood, has frequently faced inland flooding during intense rainstorms, with water spilling onto the streets. Harada, a certified disaster prevention expert who had long been worried about disaster readiness in the area, found out about Kuma Camera and chose to install one.

Disaster video available through the Line application

The Kuma Camera was created by a research group at the Prefectural University of Kumamoto after the heavy rains in July 2020 that caused significant damage in the Kyushu area of southern Japan. The device costs approximately 10,000 to 15,000 yen (around $62 to $93), which makes it quite affordable, and it can be used right away with a regular home power source. Individuals who sign up using their local official account on the free messaging app Line through their smartphones can conveniently access live camera feeds, flood details, and other regional updates.

People living in Harada’s area, along with relatives who reside elsewhere, are able to sign up for the official Line account. The local neighborhood is reportedly considering if more cameras could be placed at other spots in the coming days.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, the initial Kuma Camera was set up in the Kamise area within the village of Kuma, which experienced significant destruction due to the heavy rains in July 2020. The most recent installation at Harada’s residence signifies the ninth community to implement the system. These cameras serve multiple functions such as observing rivers, assessing road flooding, and deterring animal-related damage. It seems that local residents are the ones determining the placement of the cameras and their specific applications.

After finishing the installation, Sato stated, “I hope this motivates individuals to track and verify disaster-related information in their local regions.” Harada also shared a positive outlook, mentioning, “It’s risky to venture out and assess the situation during heavy rainfall, but with Kuma Camera we can clearly observe how high the water levels are, which should assist us in making faster preliminary decisions.”

(Japanese original by Maika Hyuga, Kumamoto Bureau)