Four dead after record-breaking heavy rain inundates Japan

Four fatalities have been reported following extreme rainfall in eastern Japan, causing widespread damage and transportation disruptions. At least 26,000 households across Chiba Prefecture were left without power as heavy rains left thousands stranded overnight at Tokyo's main airport and flooded roads and railways. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially issued the highest-level heavy rain warning for the Chiba region, a rare occurrence.

The torrential downpours in Chiba Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo, brought record-breaking rainfall of 115mm in just one hour, with 97mm recorded in Sakura. The Japan Meteorological Agency later downgraded its most severe warning as rain subsided, but warned more rain could follow later in the day. Photos and footage showed extensive flooding, with homes, cars, and railway tracks submerged in muddy water.

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai expressed shock at the unprecedented scale of the disaster, while residents in Chiba's Ichikawa city recounted spending the night under foil blankets in temporary evacuation centers. Over 4,000 stranded travelers were rescued from Soga train station, with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force providing support.

Although Narita International Airport faced a significant transport disruption, all flights were scheduled to resume operations normally on Friday. The disaster management office reported that power outages affected more than 26,000 households in the region.