Unprecedented rain kills four in Japan, stranding thousands at Narita airport

At least four people died in eastern Japan after "unprecedented" heavy rain stranded nearly 7,000 at Tokyo's Narita airport and forced thousands to seek refuge in government buildings. The torrential downpour hit Chiba prefecture on Thursday night, triggering landslide warnings and power outages.

Evacuation orders were issued for over 400,000 people in Chiba and surrounding areas. Approximately 45,000 homes lost power as the region experienced 115mm of rain per hour, an amount usually recorded for the entire month of August. This prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue its highest level 5 warning for heavy rains and landslides for the prefecture for the first time.

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This case was an extremely unusual situation. I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this.

Soldiers have been dispatched to the area to aid relief efforts. "This case was an extremely unusual situation," said Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai. "I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this." Approximately 7,000 passengers spent the night at Narita airport, while 1,700 people took shelter at the Chiba prefectural government building.

Although the rain had eased by Friday, authorities are warning of continued flood dangers. "For rivers where the risk of flooding is already high, please take action to protect your lives in any way possible," advised Kazuhito Shimamoto of the ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism. "There are also rivers where the risk of flooding is expected to increase further, so please check the evacuation advisories issued by your local municipalities and evacuate early."

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For rivers where the risk of flooding is already high, please take action to protect your lives in any way possible. There are also rivers where the risk of flooding is expected to increase further, so please check the evacuation advisories issued by your local municipalities and evacuate early.