Record-breaking rainfall in Japan caused chaos at Tokyo’s Narita airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and disrupting transportation services. The intense downpour, with over 360 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours in parts of Chiba prefecture, resulted in floods that submerged roads and railways. The situation, described as highly unusual by Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai, led to power outages affecting 20,000 homes and claimed the lives of eight individuals, including one trapped in a submerged vehicle.
Passengers at Narita airport faced significant delays and challenges as transport disruptions stranded around 7,000 people, prompting airport staff to provide essentials like sleeping bags, water, and snacks. Despite the chaos, most flights were expected to resume normal operations on Friday. In addition to the airport ordeal, more than 20,000 households experienced power outages, and nearly 13,000 faced temporary gas supply cuts due to the flooding.
In Chiba city, one of the hardest-hit areas, hundreds sought refuge in makeshift evacuation centers as major highways were closed, redirecting traffic onto alternative routes. Rail services were also suspended, causing further disruptions, although some trains between Narita and Tokyo resumed to alleviate congestion. The 24-hour rainfall total in Chiba surpassed the previous record set in 2013, according to weather authorities. The situation highlighted the severity of the flooding crisis and the challenges faced by residents and travelers in the affected regions.