TOKYO: What began as one of Japan’s busiest holiday weeks turned into a deadly emergency Friday as torrential rain overwhelmed parts of Chiba near Tokyo, killing at least four people, cutting power to thousands and leaving about 7,000 travelers stranded overnight at Narita International Airport.
More than 360 millimeters (14 inches) of rain fell in parts of Chiba within 24 hours, flooding roads and railways and triggering landslide and flood warnings. Authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 400,000 people across Chiba and surrounding areas.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level warning for heavy rain and landslides in Chiba for the first time, underscoring the severity of the downpour. Some areas recorded about 115 millimeters of rain in a single hour, roughly equivalent to the region’s typical rainfall for the entire month of August.
At least four people died in the flooding, including a 66-year-old woman whose vehicle became trapped in floodwater. Another victim, believed to be in his 60s or 70s, was found on a flooded road. Authorities said one person remained missing.
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The flooding severely disrupted transportation around Tokyo. Major highways in Chiba were closed, while several rail services were suspended. Some trains connecting Narita with Tokyo resumed Friday, but heavy congestion continued around the airport.
At Narita, thousands of passengers spent the night inside terminal buildings as they waited for transportation to resume. Airport staff distributed blankets, water and snacks, while about 1,700 people sought shelter at the Chiba prefectural government building.
Power outages added to the disruption, with more than 22,000 households without electricity Friday morning, according to Tokyo Electric Power. Some earlier reports put the number of affected homes at about 45,000 during the height of the storm.
Chiba Gov. Toshihito Kumagai described the rainfall as an extraordinary event, saying he had responded to numerous disasters but had never experienced a situation like it.
Soldiers were deployed to assist with relief operations as authorities continued monitoring rivers, flooded areas and landslide risks. Officials urged residents to follow evacuation advisories and move to safer locations before conditions deteriorate.
The rain eased Friday, but authorities warned that flood and landslide risks remained. Japanese meteorologists have also linked the growing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events to climate change.
