Record-breaking heavy rain inundated eastern Japan on Thursday, causing extensive flooding of roads and homes, paralyzing traffic, and leading to power outages for tens of thousands of households near Tokyo. Officials confirmed at least one fatality.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest level rain warning for 14 municipalities in Chiba prefecture, cautioning residents about the risks of floods and landslides. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that one person was found dead in Ichikawa city. In nearby Kashiwa city, two individuals trapped in a flooded vehicle were rescued; their current conditions are unknown.
Footage from NHK News depicted pedestrians navigating knee-deep floodwaters outside the Ichikawa train station. Vehicles were seen stranded on flooded roadways in other areas, and some local train services were suspended.
Forecasters had predicted rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters (4 inches) per hour in Chiba City and surrounding areas on Thursday night. The agency advised nearly 220,000 residents to evacuate to safer ground.
Takuya Hosomi, an official with the Japan Meteorological Agency, stated in a televised emergency press conference that the rainfall levels recorded were unprecedented. This intense weather followed a tropical storm that struck northeastern Japan the previous day, resulting in at least seven injuries, toppled trees, and widespread blackouts.
TEPCO Power Grid reported that the heavy rain and subsequent flooding caused power outages affecting 68,000 homes.