Record-breaking rainfall in Japan caused chaos at Tokyo’s Narita airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and leading to floods in the surrounding area. The downpour of over 360 millimeters within 24 hours in Chiba prefecture resulted in road and railway disruptions during a peak holiday period in Japan.
Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as highly unusual, emphasizing the severity of the disaster. Tragically, the extreme weather claimed eight lives, including one individual trapped in a submerged vehicle.
At Narita airport, where around 7,000 people were left stranded due to transportation issues, passengers were provided with essential supplies like sleeping bags, water, and snacks. Despite the challenges, airport authorities expected most flights to resume normal operations the following day.
The torrential rainfall also caused power outages affecting over 20,000 homes, with a power substation flooded and gas supply disruptions for nearly 13,000 residents. In Chiba city, hundreds sought refuge in government facilities as road closures and highway shutdowns added to the chaos.
Rail services were temporarily suspended, contributing to traffic congestion, although some routes between Narita and Tokyo gradually resumed service. Weather officials reported a record-breaking 367 millimeters of rainfall in Chiba, surpassing the previous high set in 2013.
The impact of the heavy rain extended beyond transportation disruptions, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events.