A deluge of rain in Japan caused chaos at Tokyo’s Narita airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded on Friday. The excessive rainfall led to floods in the surrounding area, disrupting transportation, causing power outages in 20,000 homes, and resulting in eight fatalities.
Parts of Chiba prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, received over 360 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, leading to the inundation of roads and railways during a peak holiday period in Japan. Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as highly unusual, stating that he had never encountered such circumstances before.
Among the casualties was an individual trapped in a submerged vehicle, as reported by Chiba authorities and police. At Narita airport, where around 7,000 people were stranded due to transport disruptions, staff provided essentials like sleeping bags, water, and snacks to affected passengers.
One commuter, Minoru Yamasaki, recounted his ordeal of waiting in line for four hours for a taxi, only to find out that his hotel reservation was canceled due to the situation. Consequently, he had to return to the airport for shelter. Despite the challenges, airport officials anticipated most flights to resume normal operations on Friday.
The heavy rainfall also caused power outages affecting over 20,000 homes, with a flooded power substation disrupting electricity supply. Gas service to nearly 13,000 households was temporarily halted. In Chiba city, where the impact was severe, hundreds sought refuge in government buildings, using foil blankets for warmth.
Road closures and traffic congestion were prevalent in Chiba due to shut highways, prompting diversions. Some rail services were suspended on Friday, although limited services between Narita and Tokyo were gradually restored, alleviating congestion at the airport.
Weather authorities highlighted that the recorded 367 millimeters of rain in Chiba over 24 hours surpassed the previous record set in 2013. The situation prompted evacuations, disruptions, and challenges for residents and travelers in the affected areas.