Record rains in Japan kill four, strand thousands at Narita

Record-breaking rainfall in Japan's Chiba prefecture has killed at least four people and stranded thousands of travellers, with the Japan Meteorological Agency issuing its highest-level heavy rain warning for the first time Source: DW News. The downpour, which hit during the busy Bon Buddhist holiday week, flooded roads and homes, triggered landslides, and knocked out power to tens of thousands of households Source: Al Jazeera.

The impact

• At least four deaths have been confirmed, including a man found floating on a flooded road and a 66-year-old woman trapped in her submerged car Source: AP News. A fifth person is feared dead and a sixth remains unaccounted for Source: SCMP.
• Around 7,000 people were stranded overnight at Narita airport, with train services suspended Source: The Guardian. Hundreds more took shelter at Chiba station and the prefectural government building Source: BBC.
• Power outages affected nearly 25,000 households, and more than 80 homes were flooded Source: AP News. Evacuation orders or advisories were issued for over 100,000 households Source: CNA.

The response

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai called the situation "extremely unusual," saying, "I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this" Source: BBC. Soldiers have been dispatched to assist with relief efforts Source: DW News. The JMA downgraded its warning to level 4 by Friday morning, but cautioned that further flooding and landslides remain possible Source: Euronews.

What's next

Rain was expected to continue through Friday, and authorities urged residents to remain vigilant Source: BBC. Scientists link such extreme weather to climate change, which is increasing the frequency and intensity of such events Source: The Guardian.