Record rain in Japan's Chiba Prefecture leaves four dead, strands thousands at airport

The downpours triggered Japan's highest-level weather warnings, widespread flooding, transport disruption, and power outages affecting tens of thousands of households.

At least four people have died after record-breaking rainfall triggered severe flooding across Japan's Chiba Prefecture, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue its highest-level emergency weather warnings, according to multiple local media reports.

Nikkei Asia reported that more than 360mm of rain fell within 24 hours in parts of the prefecture, causing extensive flooding and widespread disruption.

Local authorities confirmed four fatalities, while one person was found with no vital signs and another remained missing.

The extreme weather severely affected transport operations across the region. Around 7,000 travellers were stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport after train and bus services were suspended due to flooding. Several major highways in Chiba were also closed, while multiple rail services were disrupted.

The JMA once issued a Level 5 warning for heavy rain and landslides, the highest level on its warning scale. Speaking at a news conference, a JMA spokesperson described the rainfall as an unprecedented event for the region.

“It's highly likely that disasters have already occurred in areas expected to be flooded. ... As there is an imminent risk to life, people need to immediately ensure their safety,” NHK WORLD-JAPAN quoted the spokesperson as saying.

All emergency warnings have now been downgraded.

Power outages were also reported across the prefecture. According to Tokyo Electric Power Company, more than 22,000 households remained without electricity on Friday (14 August) morning, while earlier reports indicated outages had affected up to 45,000 homes in Chiba Prefecture.

At the height of the emergency, evacuation orders were issued for more than 400,000 people across Chiba and neighbouring Ibaraki Prefecture. More than 200 evacuation centres were opened across eastern Japan to accommodate affected residents.