Photo= A cherry tree blown down by Typhoon Jebi (September 6, Yodogawa Riverside Park Sewaritei area, Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture)

On September 6, it was found that the strong winds of Typhoon No. 21, also known as Typhoon Jebi, downed many cherry trees in the rows along the Sewaritei, or separation levee area in Yodogawa Riverside Park, Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. The park is nationally famous for its cherry blossoms. The Yogodawa River office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which manages the park and is based in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, has been removing dangerous trees, and will consider measures to restore the colonnade of cherry trees.

Photo= Rows of cherry trees in full bloom form an approximately 1.4-kilometer tunnel at the Sewaritei area in Yodogawa Riverside Park (photographed on March 31, from the observation tower at Sakura Deaikan, Yawata, Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture)

The Sewaritei area is at the confluence of three rivers, the Kizu River, the Uji River and the Katsura River. The rows of 241 cherry trees form an approximately 1.4-kilometer archway along the embankment between the Kizu and the Uji Rivers.

According to the office, it has been confirmed 15 trees were completely uprooted and fell down, and the thick trunks of 12 trees were split or torn through due to powerful winds of Typhoon Jebi which hit Kyoto and other prefectures on September 4. In addition, more than 200 trees suffered broken branches or other damage. The office said, "There are no undamaged cherry trees." It added that this is the first time so many trees have fallen since cherry tree planting began in 1978.

The Yawata City Fire Department Headquarters observed that the maximum gust in the city on September 4 was 49.2 meters.

The Sewaritei area is one of Japan's most popular spots for cherry blossom viewing. Every year during the cherry blossom season, 400,000 people visit the area.