Heavy rain in Japan kills eight and strands travelers near Tokyo
Flooding from exceptional rainfall east of Tokyo has left eight people dead and disrupted travel for thousands during the Obon holiday.
At least eight people have died after intense rain triggered flooding in Japan’s Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Friday, according to local authorities and media reports. The downpour also left thousands of people stuck near Narita airport during the busy Obon holiday period.
Officials said the area received about three months’ worth of rain in roughly 12 hours, overwhelming drainage systems and causing water to rise quickly in streets and homes. The flooding hit communities around the capital’s eastern edge, where transport links were also affected.
Travel disruption was reported at Narita, one of the country’s main international airports, as passengers and holidaymakers faced delays and cancellations. The storm came as many people were traveling for the annual summer break, adding to the number of those affected.
Japan is regularly hit by heavy seasonal rain, but the scale of this event prompted emergency responses in the region. Authorities continued assessing damage and checking for further casualties as waters began to recede.
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