The Aftermath

The Death Toll

It looks like most people who died in the March 11th earthquake, did so from the tsunami. The newspapers are saying that 93% of the confirmed dead drowned. And of that number, 65% were over 60 or older. That is 12,143 of the confirmed dead out of 13,135 people were killed by the tsunami. But the actual numbers will be much higher as the number of the missing is also about 11,000 or so. I am sure that most of these poor people were swept out to sea when the waves receded.

Divers and others, cleaning up the ports, are finding cars at the bottom of the sea. Whole houses and roof tops are still seen floating and the rocky areas along some shores are just piles of broken houses.

You can read this Japan Times story for more details.

The Animals of the Fukushima Disaster

The people who lived near the nuclear plant, within 20 kilometers, were asked to leave for their own health and safety. Many had to just get on a bus with the clothes on their backs and no more.

Recently, that became an order when the Japanese government changed its ruling. Many of these people were farmers, with animals, cows, pigs, chickens to care for. It seems that many of these people just left their animals to fend for themselves. Some let their cows out of their pens and they can now been seen roaming around eating the grass. But others just left them. Some, come back everyday to feed their animals and some have stayed with them to protect them. What is really sad is that those who are trying hard to find homes for their animals often can not find anyone to take them.

I have seen video of calves --dead and dying and some living. Animal groups are bringing food and water. Most of the chickens are dead already. And maybe the pigs too. The cattle and horses are another story. One farmer, who goes every third day to feed his animals, said that they shake with fear, such is the stress they are under.

Recently the Japanese government said that with the agreement of the owner, they will start euthanizing those animals that are still alive.

Oh, they are so slow to make their plans. Why didn't someone take action sooner?