Record-breaking rainfall in Japan caused chaos at Tokyo’s Narita airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and disrupting transportation systems while also claiming eight lives. Chiba prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, experienced over 360 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, leading to floods that submerged roads and railways during a peak holiday period in Japan.

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as highly unusual, emphasizing the severity of the disaster. Tragically, the fatalities included a person trapped in a submerged vehicle, as reported by public broadcaster NHK in collaboration with local authorities.

Amid the crisis, Narita airport staff provided essential supplies like sleeping bags, water, and snacks to stranded passengers, many of whom had no choice but to spend the night at the airport due to severe transport disruptions. One affected individual, Minoru Yamasaki, shared his ordeal of enduring a four-hour taxi queue and being turned away by a fully booked hotel before seeking refuge back at the airport.

While power outages affected over 20,000 homes due to flooding at a power substation, gas supply interruptions impacted nearly 13,000 residents. In Chiba city, hundreds sought shelter in government buildings as major highways were closed, redirecting traffic and causing congestion. Additionally, multiple rail services were suspended temporarily, though some routes between Narita and Tokyo resumed to alleviate the strain on the transportation network.

The relentless downpour in Chiba, exceeding 367 millimeters over 24 hours, shattered previous records set in 2013, exacerbating the widespread flooding and disruption across the region. Authorities are working diligently to restore normalcy and aid those affected by the unprecedented rainfall and its aftermath.