Japan floods kill four, strand thousands at Narita Airport after record rainfall

At least four people have died in eastern Japan after record-breaking heavy rain caused severe flooding, landslide warnings and power outages. More than 6,000 travellers were stranded overnight at Narita Airport, while train services and major roads were disrupted. Nearly 25,000 households lost power in Chiba Prefecture, and rescue teams, including soldiers, were deployed.

At least four people have died in eastern Japan after torrential rain caused severe flooding, landslide warnings and widespread power outages, while more than 6,000 travellers were stranded overnight at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.
More than 36 centimetres of rain fell within 24 hours in parts of Chiba Prefecture, which borders Tokyo, prompting Japan’s Meteorological Agency to issue its highest-level heavy rain warning for the region.

CHIBA HIT BY UNPRECEDENTED RAINFALL

The rainfall struck during one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods, creating widespread disruption across Chiba.
A Japan Meteorological Agency official described the rainfall as reaching an unprecedented level, while Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai said he had never experienced a disaster of such scale despite his previous experience responding to emergencies.
Nearly 25,000 households were left without electricity as roads were flooded and landslide warnings were issued.

FOUR PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD

Authorities confirmed the deaths of four people.
The victims included a man in his 60s or 70s found on a flooded road and a 66-year-old woman discovered inside a submerged vehicle.
Two other victims were also found, although authorities had not immediately established their identities.
A fifth person was feared dead, while another remained missing.
Soldiers were deployed to support emergency and relief operations.

THOUSANDS STRANDED AT NARITA AIRPORT

More than 6,000 passengers spent the night at Narita Airport after severe weather disrupted transport links.
Several train services connecting the airport with Tokyo were cancelled, leaving travellers unable to continue their journeys.
Hundreds of other passengers were also stranded at Chiba Station after rail services were suspended, with some spending the night in emergency shelters.
Images broadcast by NHK showed vehicles submerged in floodwater in Kashiwa city.

ROADS AND RAIL SERVICES DISRUPTED

Major highways in Chiba remained closed, including routes connecting Narita with central Tokyo.
The closures forced motorists to use alternative routes, while some train services resumed on Friday morning.
Airport officials said flights were expected to operate normally, although Japan Airlines warned that some delays were possible.
The highest-level rain warnings issued on Thursday were downgraded to level four by Friday morning.

CLIMATE CHANGE RAISES CONCERNS

The disaster has renewed concerns about Japan’s vulnerability to increasingly severe weather events.
Scientists have warned that human-driven climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense extreme rainfall and other weather events.
For residents of Chiba and thousands of stranded travellers, however, the immediate priority remains recovery, restoring transport and power supplies, and locating anyone still missing.