Record-breaking rainfall in Japan caused chaos at Tokyo’s Narita airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded, disrupting transportation, and leading to power outages and casualties. The deluge of over 360 millimeters of rain in Chiba prefecture submerged roads and railways, impacting Japan’s peak holiday season.

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as highly uncommon, with eight fatalities reported, including a person trapped in a submerged vehicle. Narita airport provided assistance to stranded passengers, distributing essential supplies as disruptions stranded around 7,000 individuals, causing significant disruptions.

Despite the challenges, airport officials anticipated that most flights would resume normal operations on Friday. The torrential rain caused power outages affecting over 20,000 homes and disrupted gas supplies to nearly 13,000 residents. In Chiba city, hundreds sought refuge in emergency shelters set up in government facilities.

The heavy downpour also led to road closures and suspended rail services, with some routes reopening to alleviate congestion. The exceptional rainfall of 367 millimeters in Chiba surpassed previous records, exacerbating the situation. The aftermath of the storm underscored the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.