Record-breaking rainfall in Japan led to the stranding of numerous travelers at Tokyo’s Narita airport on Friday. The heavy rainfall caused flooding in the surrounding area, resulting in transportation disruptions, power outages affecting 20,000 homes, and eight fatalities.
Chiba prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, received over 360 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, causing roads and railways to be submerged during a peak holiday period in Japan. Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as highly unusual, emphasizing its severity compared to past disasters.
Among the fatalities was an individual trapped in a submerged vehicle, as reported by Chiba authorities and police. The airport staff at Narita provided essential supplies like sleeping bags, water, and snacks to stranded passengers, who faced significant delays and chaos due to the transport disruptions.
One affected traveler, Minoru Yamasaki, shared his experience of a four-hour wait for a taxi and being turned away by a fully booked hotel, leading him back to the airport. Despite the challenges, airport officials anticipated most flights to operate as scheduled on Friday.
The torrential rain caused power outages for more than 20,000 households, with a flooded power substation disrupting the electricity supply. Gas services for nearly 13,000 homes were also temporarily halted. In Chiba city, severely impacted by the rainfall, hundreds sought refuge in makeshift evacuation centers at government facilities.
The adverse weather conditions forced the closure of major highways in Chiba, diverting traffic onto alternative routes and causing congestion. Additionally, some rail services were suspended temporarily, although select routes from Narita to Tokyo resumed to alleviate congestion at the airport.
Meteorological authorities noted that the rainfall in Chiba exceeded previous records, with 367 millimeters falling within a 24-hour period, surpassing the previous record set in October 2013. The images captured during the event portrayed the extent of the flooding and the challenges faced by residents in the affected areas.