Record-breaking rainfall in Japan caused chaos at Tokyo’s Narita airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and disrupting transportation services. The torrential downpour, with over 360 millimeters of rain within 24 hours in parts of Chiba prefecture, led to flooding, power outages affecting 20,000 homes, and tragically claimed eight lives.
Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as highly unusual, emphasizing the severity of the disaster. Among the casualties, one individual lost their life after being trapped in a submerged vehicle, as reported by public broadcaster NHK.
At Narita airport, where approximately 7,000 people were stranded due to transportation disruptions, stranded passengers were provided with essential supplies like sleeping bags, water, and snacks. Airport staff worked diligently to assist travelers, with most flights expected to resume normal operations on Friday.
The heavy rainfall also caused extensive power outages, affecting over 20,000 households, and disrupted gas supply to nearly 13,000 residents. In Chiba city, one of the hardest-hit areas, hundreds sought refuge in temporary evacuation centers set up in government facilities.
The severe weather conditions resulted in road closures, forcing drivers to navigate congested alternative routes. Additionally, some rail services were temporarily suspended, although limited services between Narita and Tokyo were gradually restored to alleviate the transportation gridlock.
The meteorological authorities confirmed that the 24-hour rainfall in Chiba surpassed previous records, reaching 367 millimeters, surpassing the previous record set in 2013. The unprecedented rainfall not only impacted daily life but also underscored the urgent need for disaster preparedness and mitigation measures in the region.