Record-breaking downpours inundate roads and railways east of Tokyo, knock out power and leave thousands trapped at Narita International Airport
BY SCN I NEWS DESK
TOKYO — At least eight people have died after record-breaking rainfall triggered severe flooding across Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, overwhelming transport networks, cutting electricity to thousands of homes and leaving thousands of travellers stranded at Narita International Airport.
More than 360 millimetres of rain fell within 24 hours in parts of Chiba, exceeding previous local records as streets, railway lines and residential areas disappeared beneath floodwater. Japanese authorities deployed soldiers and emergency crews to assist rescue and evacuation operations.
Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as extraordinarily severe, saying he had dealt with numerous disasters but had not experienced one of this scale. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level warnings during the emergency as intense rainfall created life-threatening risks from flooding and landslides.
Among those killed were people caught in rapidly rising floodwaters, including victims trapped inside submerged vehicles. Authorities continued assessing damage Friday as waters receded in some districts.
Thousands stranded at Narita airport
The extreme weather caused major disruption at Narita International Airport, one of Japan’s principal international gateways.
Around 7,000 passengers were stranded overnight after flooded roads and suspended rail services severely restricted access between the airport and Tokyo. Airport employees distributed sleeping bags, drinking water and food to travellers forced to remain inside the terminal.
Most flights were expected to operate normally Friday, but disruptions on surrounding highways and railway routes continued to complicate journeys to and from the airport.
The flooding struck during one of Japan’s busiest holiday travel periods, intensifying congestion across the region.
Power and transport networks hit
More than 20,000 households were without electricity early Friday after floodwater affected a power substation, while gas supplies to nearly 13,000 households were temporarily interrupted, according to Reuters.
Major highways were closed in parts of Chiba, forcing motorists onto alternative routes and creating heavy traffic. Several railway services were suspended, although some connections between Narita and Tokyo later resumed.
Hundreds of residents spent the night inside temporary evacuation centres established in government buildings.
The rainfall was exceptionally intense. Reuters reported 367 millimetres of precipitation over 24 hours, surpassing the area's previous record of 309 millimetres set in October 2013.
Associated Press separately reported extraordinary hourly rainfall in several Chiba municipalities and widespread flooding of homes, vehicles, roads and railway infrastructure.
Authorities warn risks remain
Japan's weather authorities downgraded some of the most severe warnings Friday as the heaviest rainfall eased, but officials cautioned that additional rain could worsen flooding or destabilise already saturated ground.
The disaster has again highlighted the vulnerability of densely populated Japanese cities to extremely concentrated rainfall, particularly where drainage systems can be overwhelmed within a short period.
Emergency teams remained deployed across affected areas as authorities worked to restore transport links, electricity and other essential services while continuing damage assessments.