{
  "id": 6390211,
  "title": "Flood threat puts Malaysia's Asian Games contingent on alert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/flood-threat-puts-malaysias-asian-games-contingent-on-alert",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T05:21:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1528910/flood-threat-puts-malaysias-asian-games-contingent-alert"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian team for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, is closely monitoring severe weather and flooding affecting various regions in the country, with the athletes' and officials' safety being their top priority. Malaysian deputy chef de mission Azlan Iskandar stated that his team is in constant communication with the Asian Games organizers in Japan to receive the latest updates on the situation. The Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4, and Azlan mentioned that they will continue to receive updates throughout the day, but the circumstances are still too early to make any decisions.\n\nJapan has issued a level five emergency warning, the highest level, due to heavy rain and flooding in Aichi and Gifu prefectures. The Shonai River, which flows through both prefectures, experienced a rise in water levels, prompting authorities to advise residents to evacuate to safer areas. Azlan, a 2010 Asian Games squash gold medalist, emphasized that the team would remain vigilant and gather information before taking any further action. He also noted that the flooding is an environmental issue caused by rain and that every country is facing similar situations.\n\nMalaysia has set a goal of winning six gold, seven silver, and 20 bronze medals in Japan across 13 sports, including badminton. This target is similar to the haul from the 2018 Hangzhou Games, where Malaysia secured 6 gold, 8 silver, and 18 bronze medals.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games is keeping a close watch on severe weather and flooding in several parts of Japan, with the safety of the country's athletes and officials remaining the top priority.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Asian Games venues and athletes unharmed by extensive flooding in Nagoya, Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/asian-games-venues-and-athletes-unharmed-by-extensive-flooding-in",
        "published": "2026-09-09T05:32:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Asian Games venues and athletes unharmed by extensive flooding in Nagoya, Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/asian-games-venues-and-athletes-unharmed-by-extensive-flooding-in-6394160",
        "published": "2026-09-09T06:23:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea pursuing 4 gold medals in judo at Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/korea-pursuing-4-gold-medals-in-judo-at-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-09T06:27:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Women's handball seeks revenge vs. host Japan at Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/womens-handball-seeks-revenge-vs-host-japan-at-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-09T06:31:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Asian Games host Nagoya city in Japan sees extensive flooding due to record rain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/asian-games-host-nagoya-city-in-japan-sees-extensive-flooding-due-to",
        "published": "2026-09-09T08:09:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Antara News Indonesia",
        "title": "Prabowo dispatches 430-strong Indonesian contingent to Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/prabowo-dispatches-430-strong-indonesian-contingent-to-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-09T10:35:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}