Four dead, one missing in severe floods east of Tokyo

Severe floods east of Tokyo have claimed at least four lives, with one person still missing, according to local authorities. The torrential downpours have inundated dozens of homes and roads, leaving thousands of people stranded and disrupting essential services like electricity.

The Chiba prefecture, located east of the capital, has been particularly hard-hit. While the Japan Meteorological Agency has lifted its red alert for several municipalities in Chiba, it has warned of additional rainfall later in the day. The region experienced over 100 millimeters (nearly 4 inches) of rain in just one hour on the previous day.

Thousands of residents spent the night at Narita Airport after train services were suspended. Although some train lines have resumed partial operation, hundreds sought shelter at the Chiba prefectural government building overnight. Flights at Narita Airport are operating normally.

Earlier in the week, a tropical storm made landfall in northeastern Japan, injuring seven people and causing power outages for 68,000 homes. The storm also led to fallen trees. The current flooding is a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.