Hongkongers stranded after storm disrupts trains and roads to Narita Airport

Hong Kong tourists returning from Tokyo faced transportation issues after a heavy rainstorm disrupted transport to Narita Airport on Thursday. Thousands of travelers were stranded, including Hong Kong residents who spent the night on trains and other facilities. Cathay Pacific, the city's flag carrier, waived rebooking and re-routing fees for affected customers to provide greater flexibility.

The storm caused extensive flooding, with over 360mm of rain falling in parts of Chiba Prefecture, adjacent to Tokyo. This inundated roads and railways, leading to power outages for nearly 25,000 households. Despite the severe weather, flights from Hong Kong International Airport to Narita operated normally on Friday with no cancellations.

Cathay Pacific assured customers that their flights to and from Tokyo would continue as scheduled. However, Hong Kong tourists shared their experiences on social media, detailing the challenges they faced. One traveler spent 15 hours on a train, while another sought shelter in a community center and walked to a nearby railway station, encountering stalled cars in floodwater.

Another passenger stayed overnight at Narita Airport after her flight was delayed, sharing her exhaustion and relief at finally reaching her destination.