Chiba, Japan – At least four people died in eastern Japan after "unprecedented" heavy rain that left nearly 7,000 stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport, and forced thousands to take refuge in government buildings.
The torrential rains hit Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Thursday night, triggering landslide warnings and power outages. Evacuation orders were issued for more than 400,000 people in Chiba and other areas, and about 45,000 homes lost power, as 115mm of rain fell hourly, approximately the same amount usually recorded for the whole month of August.
It was the first time the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued the highest level 5 warning for heavy rains and landslides for the prefecture.
Key developments:
- Deaths: At least four people killed in flooding
- Stranded: Nearly 7,000 passengers spent night at Narita airport
- Evacuations: Orders issued for more than 400,000 people
- Power outages: 45,000 homes lost electricity
- Rainfall: 115mm per hour (whole month of August in one hour)
- First-ever: Highest level 5 warning issued for Chiba
- Shelters: 1,700 people at Chiba prefectural government building
- Governor: "I have never experienced a case like this"
- Military: Soldiers dispatched for relief efforts
- Climate link: Extreme weather events increasing due to climate breakdown
The body of a man, believed to be in his 60s or 70s, was found floating in a flooded road in Ichikawa City, while a 66-year-old woman was killed when her car got trapped in flood waters in Sakura City. Two other people are reported to have died after being unable to escape from their cars during the flooding. Soldiers have been dispatched to the area to help with relief efforts.
"This case was an extremely unusual situation," Chiba governor Toshihito Kumagai told reporters on Friday morning. "I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this."
Approximately 7,000 passengers spent the night at Narita, one of Tokyo's main international airports, while 1,700 people sought shelter at the Chiba prefectural government building.
Unprecedented Rainfall
Footage from public broadcaster NHK showed water spurting violently from what appeared to be a maintenance hole and exceeding the height of a nearby five-storey building in Chiba's central ward.
Rain had eased by Friday but authorities are warning of the dangers of flooding in the area.
"For rivers where the risk of flooding is already high, please take action to protect your lives in any way possible," said Kazuhito Shimamoto of the ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism.
"There are also rivers where the risk of flooding is expected to increase further, so please check the evacuation advisories issued by your local municipalities and evacuate early."
Climate Change Link
Meteorologists in Japan say that climate breakdown is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
The Japan Meteorological Agency's decision to issue its highest-ever level 5 warning for Chiba prefecture underscores the unprecedented nature of the rainfall, which saw an entire month's worth of August rain fall in a single hour.
Relief Efforts
Soldiers have been dispatched to the affected areas to assist with relief operations, including search and rescue, and distribution of supplies to evacuation centres.
Local authorities are working to restore power to the 45,000 homes affected by outages and to clear roads blocked by floodwaters and debris.
🌊 The Big Picture
Eastern Japan has been hit by "unprecedented" torrential rains that killed four people and stranded nearly 7,000 passengers at Narita airport. The storm dumped 115mm of rain per hour – equivalent to the entire month of August – triggering the Japan Meteorological Agency's first-ever level 5 warning for Chiba prefecture. Evacuation orders were issued for more than 400,000 people, and 45,000 homes lost power. The region's governor called the situation "extremely unusual," saying he had never experienced anything like it in his career. Meteorologists warn that climate breakdown is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events in Japan.
What's Next
Key developments to watch:
- Flood risks: Continued warnings despite easing rain
- Power restoration: Efforts to reconnect 45,000 homes
- Narita operations: Airport returning to normal
- Evacuation centres: Conditions for displaced residents
- Climate policy: Renewed focus on extreme weather preparedness
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