Wells dug for emergencies are helping residents and volunteers survive in flood-hit western Japan, where running water remains unavailable in thousands of households weeks since torrential rains wreaked havoc in the region.
While much of the well water is not suitable for drinking, it can be used for cleaning, flushing toilets and other purposes and is particularly helpful to residents who cannot get to distant water supply points.
A private well at a kimono store in the heavily damaged Mabicho district in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, has been used to get water for cleaning and bathing since Sakiko Kanbara opened it to the public shortly after the rains subsided.