Stories We Tell

July 22, 2022

Unusual Weather? The Day We Had Heavy Rain

Author: Yukari Matsumoto

Reading time:4min

Hi there.

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I found Japanese meadowsweet flowers in full bloom, even though the flowering season will soon be over. Also, the other plants seem to be a little confused by this unusual weather, as some plants bloom earlier than usual. I’m amazed by how plants respond to the temperature and weather conditions, sprouting buds, and blooming flowers. I’m sure that they try their best to adapt to their environment as we do. These plants make me think that we must learn to coexist with nature and do what we can do.


 

Streets are Flooded in Ankle-Deep Water

Torrential rain has continued in wide areas of Japan since yesterday. In Shiga, the water level of Lake Biwa rose suddenly, and there was a landslide on the road to our construction site. Some areas were severely affected, which made me realize how overwhelming the power of nature is. I hope everyone remains safe.

Our garden was also flooded for a time as the drainage system couldn’t minimize the impact of flooding.

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No matter how well we maintain drainage systems, floods happen after the rainfall. So, all we could do was wait until the rain let up. I’d been worried that the wind might break branches or the river might overflow as the rain hit the window. After the rain had stopped, we could bring the garden back to life as if nothing had happened. I was relieved to see the garden as usual.

I guess that you have your way of managing excess water in your garden, such as adding elevation and installing a drain. Since heavy rains are expected to become more frequent,

we will also propose and construct with more consideration for flood protection.

Rain is a blessing for plants, yet too much water could affect them. It reminds me that there is moderation in all things.

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The calming atmosphere of a garden after rain didn’t last a long time, and the very next day, the intense heat returned. Please take care not to get sick from the sudden change of temperature.