Record Rainfall Floods Japan, Killing at Least Six and Stranding Around 7,000 Travelers at Airport

Chiba Prefecture, in eastern Japan near Tokyo, has been hit by record rainfall that has killed at least six people and injured five others.

In some parts of Chiba, more than 360 millimeters of rain was recorded within 24 hours. The large volume of water flooded roads and railway lines.

Authorities described the situation as “unprecedented.” The flooding and landslides were accompanied by power outages that left more than 20,000 households without electricity, according to the BBC.

Among the victims was a woman whose vehicle was swept away by floodwaters while she was on a flooded road. Two other people died later after collapsing in the street.

On Thursday, Japanese authorities activated the highest emergency alert level. On Friday morning, the alert was lowered to level four, but flood and landslide warnings remain in effect.

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai said the event was highly unusual, even compared with the weather conditions Japan typically experiences.

“I have dealt with many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a situation like this,” he said.

The severe weather has significantly disrupted transportation. Several railway lines remain out of service, while some major highways have been closed.

The transport chaos forced around 7,000 travelers to spend the night stranded at Narita International Airport. Airport staff provided passengers with food, water and blankets.

According to an airport statement, Friday’s flights are expected to operate normally. However, Japan Airlines has warned that delays may occur.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have been forced to seek temporary shelter. Hundreds of evacuated residents spent the night in several government buildings in Chiba.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the unusual rainfall was caused by warm, humid air colliding with cold air masses over the country’s eastern region. This interaction created extremely unstable atmospheric conditions.

Forecasts indicate that torrential rain will continue until late Friday. Rescue teams and emergency services are continuing operations in the worst-hit areas.