Thousands stranded at Japan’s Narita airport after record rain kills 4

Heavy rainfall caused chaos at Tokyo's Narita International Airport on Friday, trapping thousands of travelers and claiming at least four lives. Up to 360mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Chiba prefecture, inundating roads and railways and cutting power to thousands of homes during one of Japan's busiest holiday periods. The Chiba governor described the situation as "extremely unusual," emphasizing he had never encountered a disaster quite like it.

Over 22,000 households remained without electricity by 11am on Friday, according to Tokyo Electric Power. Hundreds of people found refuge under foil blankets at government buildings serving as emergency shelters, particularly in Chiba city, one of the hardest hit areas. While all flights were expected to run normally, some experienced delays, and no cancellations were currently anticipated.

Major highways and some rail services were disrupted, leading to heavy traffic and forcing travelers onto alternative routes. Soldiers were deployed to assist with relief efforts. The airport spokesman reported that around 7,000 people were stranded at Narita due to the transport disruptions. The incident left a lasting impression on at least one stranded traveler, who expressed gratitude for the aid provided by airport staff, vowing never to forget their ordeal.