Record Rainfall Kills Four in Japan and Strands 7,000 at Narita Airport
Record Rains Kill Four in Japan
At least four people have died and five others are wounded in eastern Japan as record rainfall pummelled the Chiba prefecture near the capital Tokyo. [3] The rains, which authorities have described as "unprecedented", cut power to more than 20,000 households while 7,000 travellers were stranded overnight at Tokyo's Narita airport. [3] More than 360mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to Friday in parts of Chiba prefecture, which adjoins the capital Tokyo, inundating roads and railways. [4] Authorities said four deaths have been confirmed, including at least one person who had been trapped in a submerged vehicle. [4] Among those killed was a woman who died inside her car submerged on a flooded road, authorities said. [3] Two others collapsed along the streets and later died. [3] Another person is missing. [5]
Disruption at Narita Airport and Transport Chaos
The transport disruption left around 7,000 people stranded at Narita airport, an airport spokesperson said, adding that all flights are scheduled to operate normally on Friday. [4] Japan Airlines said some of its flights may be delayed but that it does not expect any cancellations. [3] Passengers were stranded at metro stations, while around 1,800 people spent the night at the Chiba Prefectural Government building. [3] Major highways in Chiba, including routes linking Narita airport with central Tokyo, remained closed. [4] Several rail services remain suspended on Friday morning while some major highways are also shut. [3] Some major highways in Chiba were shut, forcing drivers onto alternative routes and causing heavy traffic, according to highway operator NEXCO East. [5] Several rail services also remained suspended on Friday morning, though some trains connecting Narita to Tokyo had resumed operations. [5] Overnight, hundreds of passengers queued to collect blankets, water bottles and snacks from airport staff before bedding down across the terminal building, footage on public broadcaster NHK showed. [5] "We are never going to forget this trip," one American traveller stranded with his family at the airport told Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK). [5]
Power Outages, Evacuations and Rescue Efforts
The heavy rain caused power outages to nearly 25,000 households during one of Japan's busiest holiday weeks. [4] More than 22,000 households remained without power on Friday at 11am (0200 GMT), according to utility provider Tokyo Electric Power. [5] More than 100,000 households have been asked to evacuate on Thursday after the rain triggered landslides and power outages. [3] In Chiba city, one of the worst hit areas, hundreds of people spent the night under foil blankets at government buildings serving as temporary evacuation centres. [5] Soldiers have been dispatched to the area to help with relief efforts. [4] Authorities would prioritise saving lives and persist with rescue efforts, Kumagai added. [3]
Official Warnings and Meteorological Context
Local authorities issued a level five emergency warning, its highest alert, on Thursday. [3] This was downgraded to a level four by Friday morning, but they continue to warn of landslide and flooding risks. [3] The rains are expected to last through late on Friday. [3] "This case was an extremely unusual situation, even by Japan's historical weather standards," Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai told reporters on Friday morning. [3] "I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this." [3] Japan's Meteorological Agency said the most recent deluge was brought by warm, humid air flowing into the country's east that combined with cold air above to make atmospheric conditions extremely unstable. [3] The Japan Meteorological Agency earlier described the situation as an "unprecedented level of heavy rain". [3] Chiba, which sits right next to the capital city of Tokyo, has logged more than 100mm of rain per hour since Thursday afternoon, authorities say. [3] This is about three times the average rainfall in August, and the highest volume of precipitation ever recorded in the country. [3]
Severe Thunderstorms Strike U.S. Midwest
The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Northeastern Hamilton County in central Indiana and Tipton County in central Indiana until 230 AM EDT. [1] At 147 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Tipton, or 11 miles south of Kokomo, moving southeast at 25 mph. [1] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [1] Impact includes hail damage to vehicles is expected and expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1] At 1244 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Morton, moving southeast at 30 mph. [2] Hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail. [2] Impact includes expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [2] This severe storm will be near Morton around 1250 AM CDT and Mackinaw around 1255 AM CDT. [2] Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Groveland, North Pekin, and Peoria Heights. [2]
Hawaii Prepares for Tropical Storm Lala
Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hawaii has declared a state of emergency on Friday as it prepared for Tropical Storm Lala, which could bring powerful winds, flooding and landslides this weekend. [4] The Pacific storm is gaining strength according to the United States' National Weather Service, which expects it to become a hurricane as it approaches. [4] Winds were blowing at around 80km/h and the storm could dump up to 63.5 cm of rain in parts of Hawaii, the weather service added. [4] Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency in response to the threat, an administrative measure that frees up funds, resources and personnel in the event of damage. [4] "Tropical Storm Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaii Island — and we are taking action now to ensure resources are available where they are needed," he said. [4] With 210,000 residents, Hawaii Island is the archipelago's second-most populous island, far behind Oahu, which is home to more than one million people. [4] The storm's path remains uncertain, but it is expected to remain offshore. [4] The last tropical storm to directly strike the archipelago was in 2018. [4]
What to watch next: The rains are expected to last through late on Friday while Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and bring up to 63.5 cm of rain, powerful winds, flooding and landslides this week
