Unprecedented rainfall has left numerous travelers stranded at Narita Airport in Tokyo, as flooding has severely disrupted transportation, cut power lines, and tragically resulted in at least four fatalities.
Over the course of just 24 hours leading up to Friday, more than 360mm of rain deluged areas in Chiba prefecture, next to Tokyo. This torrential downpour flooded roads and railways, while plunging nearly 25,000 homes into darkness during one of Japan’s peak holiday seasons.
Officials have confirmed four deaths, highlighting that at least one individual was lost in a vehicle overtaken by floodwaters.
In response to the crisis, soldiers have been deployed to the region to assist with emergency relief operations.
“This occurrence was extraordinarily rare, even for Japan where extreme weather can be expected,” remarked Chiba governor Toshihito Kumagai to reporters on Friday.
“I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this.”
The transport disruption left around 7,000 people stranded at Narita airport, an airport spokesperson said, adding that all flights are scheduled to operate normally on Friday. Japan Airlines said some flights may experience delays but no cancellations are currently expected.
Major highways in Chiba, including routes linking Narita airport, one of Japan’s main international transport hubs, with central Tokyo, remained closed, forcing drivers onto alternative routes and causing heavy traffic, according to highway operator NEXCO East.
Several rail services remained suspended on Friday morning, though some trains connecting Narita to Tokyo had resumed operations.
Pacific weather mayhem
Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hawaii has declared a state of emergency on Friday as it prepared for Tropical Storm Lala, which could bring powerful winds, flooding and landslides this weekend.
The Pacific storm is gaining strength according to the United States’ National Weather Service, which expects it to become a hurricane as it approaches.
Winds were blowing at around 80km/h and the storm could dump up to 63.5 cm of rain in parts of the Hawaii, the weather service added.
Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency in response to the threat, an administrative measure that frees up funds, resources and personnel in the event of damage.
“Tropical Storm Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaii Island — and we are taking action now to ensure resources are available where they are needed,” he said.
With 210,000 residents, Hawaii Island is the archipelago’s second-most populous island, far behind Oahu, which is home to more than one million people.
The storm’s path remains uncertain, but it is expected to remain offshore.
The last tropical storm to directly strike the archipelago was in 2018.
El Niño, a weather phenomenon that is particularly strong this year, is warming the equatorial Pacific and increasing the likelihood of cyclones. Meteorologists expect a much more active-than-average hurricane season in the region.
Scientists regularly warn that climate change, caused by humanity’s burning of fossil fuels, is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.