Tokyo, August 14: Heavy rainfall in eastern Japan from Thursday to Friday morning has resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals and caused widespread flooding in several areas. Amid deteriorating weather conditions, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued the highest ‘Level 5’ warning for heavy rain in more than one-third of municipalities in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.
According to reports from Kyodo News, local authorities confirmed the death of a person in Ichikawa. In Sakura, a 66-year-old woman lost her life after being trapped in a car on a flooded road. Police also reported finding an unconscious man on a waterlogged street in Chiba Prefecture, who later died. Additionally, another individual was found deceased in Sakura. The Chiba Prefectural Police later confirmed two fatalities.
The heavy rain disrupted transportation in many parts of Chiba and Tokyo, leaving passengers stranded on the roads. A government building in the prefecture was opened to accommodate the stranded travelers, with approximately 1,800 people seeking refuge there.
Officials from Chiba, Ichikawa, and other municipalities urged residents to take safety precautions as flooding affected the entire area, leading to significant traffic congestion. The Japan Meteorological Agency had issued a Level 5 warning for several locations, including Chiba and Ichihara, on Thursday. However, by Friday morning, the warning levels were downgraded.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, evacuation orders were issued for over 400,000 people in Chiba and Ibaraki areas. As of 11 AM local time on Friday, evacuation orders were still in effect for approximately 102,600 individuals in Chiba. The Cabinet Office reported that more than 200 relief centers had been established in Chiba, Ibaraki, Saitama, and Gunma regions.
Additionally, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. reported that at one point, around 45,000 households in the Chiba area experienced power outages.
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