In brief
The Chiba prefecture near Tokyo was hit by an unprecedented flood storm, recording over 100 mm of rain in a single hour and producing the highest precipitation ever recorded in Japan. Four people lost their lives, five were injured, and more than 20 000 homes were left without power. Municipal authorities placed a level‑5 emergency warning, later easing to level‑4, while authorities warned of ongoing landslide and flooding risks. Travelers at Narita International Airport were stranded overnight as the storm disrupted flights and land transport.
The Chiba prefecture, which borders the capital Tokyo, was struck by an unprecedented rainstorm that produced more than 100 millimetres per hour, a figure three times the average August rainfall. The deluge set a new national record for precipitation and plunged the region into chaos.
Four residents were confirmed dead during the event; one woman drowned in a flooded road, while two others collapsed along streets and later died. Five additional people sustained injuries of varying severity.
The storm knocked out power in over 20 000 households and halted services on key highways. Rail links remained suspended, and major roads were closed as authorities conducted rescue operations.
By Thursday evening, authorities deployed a level‑5 emergency warning, the jurisdiction’s strongest alert, before downgrading it to level‑4 on Friday. The prefecture urged more than 100 000 residents to evacuate in anticipation of landslides and continuing flooding.
At Narita International Airport, nearly seven thousand passengers were stranded overnight. Air traffic remained largely operational, with Japan Airlines reporting no cancellations, though minor delays were possible.
The storm ties into a broader pattern of back‑to‑back typhoon activity across the region this week, adding to earlier impacts from the Dolphin, Chan‑Hom, and Peilou typhoons. Both Japan and neighboring countries, including the Philippines and China, have faced severe weather as part of an unusually active season.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and prioritize rescue and shelter operations. Residents are advised to stay tuned for further updates.
