Extreme Weather Near Tokyo Leaves at Least 9 Dead and Floods More Than 1,000 Homes

At least nine people have died as a result of torrential rains that have battered areas near Tokyo, Japan’s capital, in recent days. The unusually heavy rainfall has submerged more than 1,000 homes, while also causing major disruptions to transportation and communications.

The deaths occurred in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, according to authorities. Some people were found trapped inside flooded vehicles, while others are believed to have drowned on the roads.

More than 30 centimeters of rain was recorded at one of the area’s weather stations over a 24-hour period. The Japan Meteorological Agency said that August has now become the wettest month on record in the prefecture in the past 60 years.

During an emergency media conference held on Thursday evening, a meteorological official warned that the country was facing an unprecedented level of heavy rainfall.

For the first time in Chiba Prefecture, meteorologists activated the highest alert level for heavy rain. Authorities also warned of the risk of landslides, while the severe weather caused power outages.

By Friday morning, accumulated rainfall in Chiba city had exceeded the average rainfall for the entire month of August by more than three times.

Across the area affected by the severe weather, more than 70 homes sustained partial damage, while more than 1,000 others were flooded.

According to reports by Japanese media, the floods forced the abandonment of around 1,200 vehicles on the roads. Authorities have begun operations to remove and recover them.

Scientists emphasize that human-caused climate change is making extreme rainfall and similar weather phenomena occur more frequently, last longer and become more intense.