Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Record rain kills four to eight, strands thousands at Narita
A very big rainstorm hit eastern Japan, bringing more rain in one day than many places get in months.
The storm flooded roads and railway tracks, turning streets into rivers in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo.
Sadly, some people lost their lives - reports say different numbers, with at least four or at least eight people dying.
One person died after their car became trapped in the flood water.
The flooding cut power to nearly 25,000 homes and closed many roads and train lines.
About 7,000 travellers got stuck at Narita airport because they could not reach it, and about 1,800 people spent the night in a government building.
Japan issued its most serious storm warning, telling people to be very careful about flood dangers.
Rescue workers and soldiers were sent to help people who were trapped or needed shelter.
The leader of Chiba said he had never seen a disaster like this in his whole career.
Most airplanes were still expected to fly on Friday, though some flights were delayed.
More than 360 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours in Chiba prefecture, with rates topping 100 millimetres per hour in some areas, in what the Japan Meteorological Agency called an 'unprecedented level of heavy rain'.
Reports on the death toll conflict: Reuters says at least four deaths are confirmed, while WION reports at least eight people killed.
About 7,000 travellers were stranded at Narita International Airport after flooding closed major highways and suspended rail services linking it to Tokyo.
Nearly 25,000 households lost power - one report cites more than 20,000 - and about 1,800 people spent the night at the Chiba Prefectural Government building.
Japan issued its highest Level 5 emergency warning on Thursday, later downgraded to Level 4 on Friday, with all Narita flights scheduled to operate normally.
- Who
- Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai, travellers stranded at Narita International Airport, residents of Chiba prefecture, and rescue workers and soldiers.
- What
- Record rainfall caused severe flooding, landslides, power outages, transport disruption and deaths in Chiba prefecture - at least four killed per one report, at least eight per another.
- When
- Thursday afternoon, August 13, through Friday morning, August 14.
- Where
- Chiba prefecture in eastern Japan, including Narita International Airport and the highways and rail lines linking it to Tokyo.
- Why
- Warm, humid air flowed into eastern Japan and met colder air above, creating highly unstable conditions that produced an 'unprecedented level of heavy rain'.
- Rainfall
- More than 360 mm in 24 hours; over 100 mm per hour in some areas
- Confirmed deaths
- At least 4 (Reuters) vs at least 8 (WION) - conflicting reports
- Stranded travellers
- About 7,000 at Narita International Airport
- Households without power
- Nearly 25,000 (one report says more than 20,000)
- Emergency warning
- Level 5 (highest) Thursday, downgraded to Level 4 Friday
- Overnight shelter
- About 1,800 people at the Chiba Prefectural Government building
- Highway closures
- Major Chiba highways, including some linking Narita to Tokyo, closed per operator NEXCO East
- Chiba Governor
- Toshihito Kumagai
