Thousands stranded at Japan’s Narita airport after record rains kill four

Heavy rainfall in the Tokyo area disrupted travel, caused power outages, and resulted in at least four fatalities, according to reports from Friday. The torrential downpour, measuring over 360 mm in 24 hours, overwhelmed roads and railways in Chiba Prefecture, a neighboring region to the capital. Authorities reported that the extreme weather submerged vehicles and left an individual missing.

Military personnel have joined relief efforts to aid those affected. As of 2:00 a.m. GMT, Tokyo Electric Power Company stated that more than 22,000 households were still without electricity. Hundreds of people sought refuge in government buildings in Chiba city, used as temporary evacuation centers. A Narita airport spokesperson revealed that approximately 7,000 travelers were stranded due to the transport disruptions, although all flights were anticipated to operate as usual on that day.

Japan Airlines indicated that certain flights may experience delays, but no cancellations were expected at the time. Major highways in Chiba were forced to close, leading to heavy traffic congestion as drivers were redirected onto alternative routes.