UNIT 10 (home reading)

KOBE EARTHQUAKE – assessing the damage

Over 2000 dead, including many port workers, and thou­sands more homeless. The damage sustained by the Port of Kobe, Japan’s premier port, in the earthquake disaster of 17 January has been estimated at JY940 bill or almost US$ 1 bill. Kobe port accounted for almost one fifth of all the di­rect and dependent jobs in the city, and the port and related industries represent almost 40 per cent of all earnings.

The earthquake had a Richter magnitude of 7.2.The seismic cen­tre was very close to Kobe and oc­curred close to the surface. All the container berths under the control of Kobe Port Terminal Corpora­tion (KPDC) on the man-made Rokko and Port Islands were put out of action, with sunken and flooded apron areas.

Only 30 of the 150 public berths managed by Kobe Port Au­thority could be used and just 39 of the 89 public warehouses and transit sheds were in service, to a limited extent. The Kobe Ohashi Bridge supports collapsed and the joints were damaged. It will take 2-2.5 years to restore the bridge completely and fully reopen both upper and lower level roadways.

The Maya Ohashi bridge is in­tact but major inspection work must be carried out before it can be reopened. Complete restoration of the Harbour Highway will take 2-3 years and work will be done in three phases (No 2 eastern indus­trial area to Takaha; Takaha to Maya; and Maya to Shinko No 4 Pier).

The joints of the Rokko Ohashi Bridge supports were damaged, but emergency works have been completed. There is limited access on both the upper and lower levels and complete res­toration is anticipated within 9-12 months. Early estimates indi­cate that two years will be required to rebuild the elevated expressway which is die main artery connect­ing the port with Osaka and To­kyo and the only one really suit­able for container trucks.