OAMISHIRASATO, Japan — Record rainfall in eastern Japan killed eight people and stranded thousands of travelers on Friday, disrupting roads, railways and power supplies during one of the country’s busiest holiday periods, authorities and local media reported.
The worst-hit areas were in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, where more than 360 mm (14 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours. Japan’s weather authorities said 367 mm was recorded in Chiba, exceeding the previous 24-hour rainfall record of 309 mm set in October 2013.
The eight deaths included a person trapped in a submerged vehicle, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing Chiba authorities and police. The rainfall flooded roads and rail lines and prompted the deployment of soldiers to assist rescue operations.
Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as extremely unusual, telling reporters he had responded to many disasters but had never experienced one like it.
At Narita International Airport, about 7,000 travelers were stranded overnight after transport links were disrupted. Airport staff distributed sleeping bags, water and snacks to passengers, while some travelers struggled to find taxis or hotel rooms. An airport spokesperson said most flights were expected to operate normally on Friday.
The Ground Self-Defense Force also sent buses to collect about 4,000 people who had spent the night stranded at Soga train station, according to the Defense Ministry. Several hundred others sheltered overnight at government facilities in Chiba city.
Power supplies were also affected. Tokyo Electric Power said more than 20,000 homes had lost electricity after flooding damaged a power substation, while gas supplies to nearly 13,000 households were temporarily cut. By Friday, the number of homes without electricity had fallen to about 18,000.
Several major highways remained closed and some rail services were suspended, although trains between Narita and Tokyo resumed in part, helping ease congestion. Flights were operating normally, while thousands of stranded passengers gradually left the airport as transport services recovered.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency downgraded its highest-level heavy-rain warning in parts of Chiba as rainfall eased Friday morning, but forecast further rain later in the day, prompting continued caution over flooding and landslides.
