Record-breaking heavy rain struck eastern Japan on Thursday, triggering severe flooding, paralyzing local traffic, and leaving tens of thousands of homes without electricity near Tokyo. Authorities confirmed that at least one individual was found dead in Ichikawa city amid the deluge.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its highest level of warning for heavy rain across 14 municipalities in Chiba prefecture, cautioning residents against the risks of landslides and rising floodwaters. Takuya Hosomi, a JMA forecast official, described the rainfall levels as unprecedented during a televised emergency news conference. According to reports, rainfall was forecast to exceed 100 millimeters—approximately 4 inches—in just one hour throughout Thursday night in Chiba City and several neighboring areas.
The impact on local infrastructure was significant. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said one person was found dead in Ichikawa city, while two people who were trapped inside a flooded car were rescued in the nearby Kashiwa city. TEPCO Power Grid reported that the flooding and torrential conditions caused power outages affecting 68,000 homes. Meanwhile, footage broadcast by NHK depicted pedestrians navigating knee-deep floodwaters outside the Ichikawa train station, while numerous vehicles were left stranded on inundated roads. Some trains in the area were suspended as a result of the weather.
Emergency response efforts were underway throughout the day. In Kashiwa city, rescue teams successfully extracted two people who had become trapped inside a flooded vehicle, though their current conditions remain unknown. Officials have advised nearly 220,000 residents in the area to seek safety at designated shelter locations. This extreme weather event occurred just one day after a tropical storm swept through northeastern Japan, which resulted in at least seven injuries, downed trees, and widespread power failures.
