Torrential rain in Japan's Chiba Pref. prompts warnings over cars trapped on flooded roads
During the record rainfall across Chiba Prefecture on Aug. 13 to 14, many vehicles were submerged as roads flooded. Fatalities were also reported amon
Heavy rain struck Chiba Prefecture in Japan on August 13 and 14, causing severe flooding on roads. Many vehicles became submerged, resulting in fatalities among individuals trapped inside. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued warnings regarding driving in flooded areas. Once water surpasses the vehicle's floor, it can infiltrate via the exhaust pipe, potentially causing the engine to cease or the battery to malfunction.
Should the water rise above half the door's height, water pressure may render the door nearly impossible to open. The ministry advises drivers to evacuate before water levels become too high. If doors remain locked, occupants should depress a window. If windows cannot be opened, an emergency escape hammer should be employed to break a window and escape.
If neither option is viable, the door may become manageable to open once inside and outside water levels align, reducing pressure differences.
Post-flooding, caution is paramount. Submerged vehicles may pose electric shock or fire hazards due to short circuits in the electrical system. Drivers should refrain from starting the engine immediately and should contact a repair shop or dealership instead. Proactive measures are essential. The latest downpour occurred during evening rush hour, making it challenging to discern flooded sections in the dark. Before heavy rain, drivers should familiarize themselves with flood-prone roads and avoid them during storms.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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- Four dead, thousands stranded as record rain lashes Japan dw.com
- Record rain kills four in Japan’s Chiba dailytimes.com.pk
- Four dead after record-breaking heavy rain inundates Japan abc.net.au
- Record rainfall leaves four dead, thousands stranded in Japan aljazeera.com
- 'Unprecedented' rains in Japan kill four people bbc.co.uk
