Torrential overnight rain brought deadly flooding to Chiba Prefecture, with local authorities confirming four fatalities as key transport links serving Tokyo were severely disrupted. More than 6,000 passengers spent the night at Narita International Airport, while nearly 26,000 households lost electricity.
Highest-level alert issued
The rain, which began on Thursday evening, triggered landslide warnings and widespread power cuts east of the Japanese capital.
For the first time, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level heavy rain alert for Chiba Prefecture.
“We are facing an unprecedented level of intense rainfall,” an agency official told a press conference on Thursday evening.
Four deaths confirmed
Among the victims was a 66-year-old woman who became trapped inside her car on a flooded road, according to the Chiba Prefecture Disaster Management Office.
A man was also found floating in a flooded street. Another man was discovered collapsed during the night and died after being taken to hospital.
Authorities warned that the death toll could rise. One person was found unconscious, while another remained missing.
Nearly 26,000 households across the prefecture were still without electricity on Friday morning.
Thousands stranded at Narita
More than 6,000 people were forced to remain overnight at Narita, one of Tokyo’s two main international airports, after numerous rail services to and from the airport were cancelled through Friday afternoon.
Social media users said airport staff distributed water, food and sleeping bags to stranded passengers.
Hundreds of people were also left waiting at Chiba railway station after train services were suspended, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.
Public broadcaster NHK said hundreds more spent the night in emergency shelters across the prefecture.
Source: AFP
