Record rainfall forces Asian Games athletes to evacuate as rainwater leaks into Nagoya accommodation and venues

TOKYO, September 9 — Hundreds of Asian Games athletes were evacuated from accommodations in Nagoya due to record rainfall, with competition set to begin the following day. The intense downpour also caused water leaks in some competition venues, and forecasters warned more wet weather was on the horizon. In a single hour, Nagoya experienced 104mm of rain, leading municipal officials to order evacuations for certain parts of the city.

Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency and severity of such weather events to human-induced climate change. Unlike previous Asian Games, this year's edition does not have a dedicated athletes' village; instead, athletes reside in a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers, and hotels. An official from the Nagoya Port Authority informed AFP that "hundreds" of athletes staying in the Garden Pier area, where the wooden containers are located, were instructed to evacuate to safety.

The athletes returned to their accommodations two hours later after the evacuation order was lifted. The Asian Games officially commence with an opening ceremony on September 19, but several events are scheduled to begin earlier. The basketball competition kicks off tomorrow. Although rainwater was detected in several competition venues, Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa stated that the facilities were only minimally impacted and that the events would proceed as planned.

"There has been limited damage like rainwater leaking from the roofs of some buildings, but the situation is not serious enough to jeopardize the opening on the 19th for now," he assured. "Given the current circumstances, I believe there will be no obstacles to holding the Asian Games." More than 17,000 athletes and officials are anticipated at the Games, a higher turnout than the Olympics.

Subway and bus services in Nagoya were briefly suspended on Tuesday, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the region.