Four Dead in Eastern Japan as Record Rainfall Triggers Landslides and Widespread Disruption
At least four people have died in Chiba prefecture, eastern Japan, after what authorities described as "unprecedented" heavy rain triggered landslides, flooding, and widespread disruption, officials said Friday. The downpour left thousands stranded overnight at Narita Airport and snarled road and rail services.
Those killed included a man believed to be in his 60s or 70s who was found floating on a flooded road, and a 66-year-old woman who was trapped in her submerged car, the Chiba Prefecture Disaster Management Office said. A third victim, a man whose age was not immediately known, was found collapsed on a street, while the identity and age of the fourth victim remained unclear. A fifth person was feared dead, while another was reported missing.
Emergency Warnings and Power Outages
In a first for Chiba, Japan's weather authority issued a level 5 emergency warning—the highest alert level in the system—on Thursday night, which was later downgraded to level 4. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the rainfall was "shaping up to be an unprecedented level of heavy rain" and attributed the deluge to warm, humid air flowing into eastern Japan combined with cold air above, creating extremely unstable atmospheric conditions.
The rain left nearly 26,000 households across Chiba Prefecture without electricity as of Friday morning, according to the disaster management office. Floodwaters entered 45 homes in cities including Ichikawa, Kashiwa, and Sakura, while another 39 houses reported water seeping in below the floorboards. Chiba recorded more than 100mm of rain per hour since Thursday afternoon, about three times the average rainfall for August and the highest volume of precipitation ever recorded in the country.
Transport Disruption and Stranded Travelers
Around 7,000 people were stranded overnight at Narita Airport, one of Japan's main international transport hubs, while others spent the night at train stations and makeshift shelters. Major highways across Chiba, including key routes connecting Narita Airport with central Tokyo, remained closed on Friday, forcing motorists to take alternate routes and causing severe traffic congestion, according to highway operator NEXCO East. Several rail services also remained suspended on Friday morning.
The Self-Defence Forces were deployed on Friday morning to help transport people stranded at railway stations. Japan Airlines said all flights were scheduled to operate normally on Friday, though some may be delayed, with no cancellations expected.
About 1,800 people spent the night at the Chiba Prefectural Government building, according to local reports.
Official Responses
Chiba Governor Kumagai Toshihito expressed condolences and vowed to prioritize rescue efforts: "I offer my deepest condolences to those who have lost their lives and my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the disaster. We will continue to prioritize saving lives, minimizing damage, and will work to share information and explore measures to facilitate a swift recovery."
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reacted on X, writing: "In recent years, disasters caused by heavy rain have become increasingly frequent." She added that authorities will "remain vigilant" and work closely with other ministries to "protect the lives and livelihoods of the people," while offering condolences to those who died.
The floods come after a week of storms in the region, including Dolphin, Chan-Hom, and Peilou. Chinese authorities evacuated more than a million people as Dolphin made landfall.