Earthquake in Tokyo could leave 817,000 people without toilets
If you live or work in Tokyo, be prepared for a toilet shortage if a big earthquake hits the city:
An expert panel of the government’s Central Disaster Prevention Council came to the conclusion this week while studying the potential impact of a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in the tremor-prone metropolis.
According to the study, some 817,000 people would find themselves without toilets two hours after such a big tremor, which would cut off 46 percent of Tokyo’s water supply.
The wait to use a toilet would be four and a half hours in central Chiyoda ward, home to the headquarters of major companies, government buildings and the imperial palace.
“Besides food and water, shortage of toilets is one of the major issues in post-disaster situations,” said Itsuki Nakabayashi, head of the study panel.
Authorities have advised residents to carry tissues and plastic bags for emergency toilet use.
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