Rugby World Cup Organisers Planning for Typhoons & Quakes

Rugby World Cup Organisers Planning for Typhoons & Quakes

Rugby World Cup organisers are putting contingency plans in place for this year’s World Cup in Japan, which is prone to earthquakes and typhoons.

Japan is especially vulnerable to extreme weather in September, when the tournament will be in full swing, noted tournament director Alan Gilpin 

In September last year, a typhoon knocked out Osaka Airport and a strong earthquake rocked the northern island of Hokkaido.

Another lashed the whole country, forcing authorities to take the highly unusual step of cancelling public transport in Tokyo. That month, a strong earthquake also rocked the northern island of Hokkaido, killing dozens and knocking out power.

‘A lot of what we will do in the coming six months is contingency planning,’ World Cup tournament director Alan Gilpin told AFP.


‘It would appear that it’s that first period of the tournament – when it is still typhoon season – that we’re likely to have some issues. That is the busiest part of the tournament, so we’ve got to be ready.’

While knockout matches could be postponed, the packed pool-stage schedule means a draw could be declared for matches that are unable to be played because of the weather.


Story via: France 24

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