Heavy Rain in Eastern Japan Claims 8 Lives, Thousands Stranded at Narita
At least eight people died as record rainfall hit Chiba Prefecture, cutting power to more than 20,000 households and triggering widespread flooding.
Local authorities issued a level‑five emergency warning on Thursday, the highest alert, for landslide and flood risks. The warning was lowered to level‑four on Friday, but officials continue to caution residents.
The deluge follows a succession of storms that this week battered eastern Japan and neighboring countries, experts say the region is experiencing an unusually active typhoon season.
The Japan Meteorological Agency described the weather as “extremely unusual” because warm, humid air mixing with cold upper‑level air created severe instability.
Officials say flooding lasted through the evening of Friday. President Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai said he has never seen a disaster of this magnitude.
On Thursday, more than 100,000 households were ordered to evacuate as landslides and power outages spread across the prefecture.
The storm disrupted transportation: rail services were largely suspended and some major highways closed. Many passengers were stranded overnight at Narita, with about 1,800 people staying at the Chiba Prefectural Government building.
Japan Airlines expects some flight delays but none will be cancelled. Meanwhile, authorities in the Philippines shut schools and offices in northern regions over similar flood threats.
The heavy rain is part of a broader pattern that stunned the region, with a powerful typhoon named Dolphin affecting Japan, the Philippines and China, leading to massive evacuations.
