{
  "id": 841986,
  "title": "'Unprecedented' rains in Japan kill four people",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/unprecedented-rains-in-japan-kill-four-people",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T04:54:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC World",
    "slug": "bbc-world",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq561gpen8lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Heavy rains swept through eastern Japan, claiming at least eight lives and leaving thousands stranded at Tokyo's Narita Airport. Authorities described the deluge as \"unprecedented,\" prompting a level five emergency warning, which was later reduced to level four. The rains caused power outages affecting over 20,000 households in Chiba prefecture and triggered landslides, leading local authorities to issue evacuation orders for over 100,000 households. The National Meteorological Agency noted the extreme instability in atmospheric conditions, combining warm, humid air with cold air above. Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai emphasized the rarity of such a severe weather event, stating it was unlike any disaster he had encountered. The heaviest rainfall recorded in the country was observed in Chiba, with hourly rainfall exceeding 100mm, more than three times the average for August. Despite the severe conditions, Japan's flag carrier, Japan Airlines, maintained most of its flight schedules for Friday, though some delays were reported. The disaster has prompted similar emergency measures in the Philippines, where schools and government offices remain closed in the northern regions due to fears of floods.",
  "summary": "The storm cut power to more than 20,000 households and left 7,000 people stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Four dead, thousands stranded as record rain lashes Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/four-dead-thousands-stranded-as-record-rain-lashes-japan",
        "published": "2026-08-14T03:23:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Record rainfall leaves four dead, thousands stranded in Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/record-rainfall-leaves-four-dead-thousands-stranded-in-japan",
        "published": "2026-08-14T05:02:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Four dead after record-breaking heavy rain inundates Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/four-dead-after-record-breaking-heavy-rain-inundates-japan",
        "published": "2026-08-14T05:59:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Record rain kills four in Japan’s Chiba",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/record-rain-kills-four-in-japans-chiba",
        "published": "2026-08-14T06:18:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Torrential rain in Japan's Chiba Pref. prompts warnings over cars trapped on flooded roads",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/torrential-rain-in-japans-chiba-pref-prompts-warnings-over-cars",
        "published": "2026-08-14T06:55:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Unprecedented rainfall in Japan leaves at least four dead in Chiba prefecture",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/unprecedented-rainfall-in-japan-leaves-at-least-four-dead-in-chiba",
        "published": "2026-08-14T08:32:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}