Tokyo, Japan: Record-breaking rainfall in Japan’s Chiba prefecture has caused widespread flooding, disrupting roads and rail services, cutting power to thousands of homes and leaving around 7,000 travellers stranded at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.
More than 360mm of rain was recorded over a 24-hour period in parts of Chiba, which borders Tokyo, during one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods. Floodwaters inundated roads and railway lines, while authorities confirmed at least four deaths and reported one person missing.
One of the confirmed victims was found trapped inside a submerged vehicle. Soldiers have been deployed to assist with emergency response and relief operations in affected areas.
【報道発表】(R8.8.14)
気象庁では令和８年８月１３日からの千葉県の豪雨に対して、「令和８年８月千葉豪雨」と名称を定めました。https://t.co/5IPv8TbvVY— 気象庁 (@JMA_kishou) August 14, 2026
Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai said that, “This case was an extremely unusual situation, even by Japan’s historical weather standards. I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this.”
More than 22,000 households were still without electricity as of 11 am on August 14, according to Tokyo Electric Power. In heavily affected Chiba City, hundreds of residents spent the night at government buildings being used as temporary evacuation centres.
The severe weather also caused major disruption at Narita Airport, where about 7,000 passengers remained stranded. Airport authorities said flights were expected to operate as scheduled on August 14, although Japan Airlines warned that some services could face delays.
Several major highways in Chiba were closed, forcing motorists onto alternative routes and creating significant congestion. Several railway services also remained suspended, although some trains between Narita and Tokyo had resumed.
Passengers stranded overnight at the airport received blankets, water and snacks from staff before sleeping inside the terminal.
Deadly record rainfall
At least six people have died, and five others have been injured in eastern Japan after record rainfall battered Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.
Authorities issued their highest, level-five emergency warning on August 13 as torrential rain triggered concerns over flooding and landslides. The alert was lowered to level four by August 14 morning, but officials continued to urge residents to remain cautious as the risk of further flooding and landslides persisted.
The severe weather follows a series of storms that have moved across Japan and neighbouring countries this week, in response to forecasts for an unusually active typhoon season.
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