Record rainfall across Japan has triggered flooding and river overflows, with damage reported in multiple regions. River levels rose sharply and rail services were disrupted in Tokyo and the surrounding metropolitan area, raising concern among travelers planning trips to Japan.
Warm, moist air flowing into a stalled autumn rain front stretching from western Japan to the Pacific coast of eastern Japan has intensified the front's activity, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and NHK on the 9th.
Oshima in the Izu Islands south of Tokyo recorded 757.5 millimeters of rain over 48 hours, the highest 48-hour September total on record for the island.
Heavy rain also concentrated over Aichi and Gifu prefectures from the previous evening. A Level 5 special flood warning, Japan's highest alert, was briefly issued for the Shonai River, which runs through both prefectures. Japan's disaster alerts run from Level 1 to Level 5, with Level 5 indicating a disaster has already occurred or is imminent and immediate action is needed to ensure safety.
Nagoya Sees 104 Millimeters in an Hour as River Overflows
Nagoya was also hit hard. The city recorded 104.5 millimeters of rain in the hour to 5 p.m. on the 8th. The Ueda River, which runs through the city, rose sharply and overflowed, submerging vehicles. All public schools and kindergartens in Nagoya closed temporarily.
About 3,500 residents of Nagoya alone moved to shelters. Nanbu in Yamanashi Prefecture recorded 51 millimeters of rain in the hour to 8 p.m. the previous day, while Hachioji in Tokyo recorded 40 millimeters and Koga in Ibaraki Prefecture 38.5 millimeters.
Tokyo remains at risk. Heavy rain on the night of the 8th pushed river levels higher and disrupted major rail lines in the capital region. Services on the JR Yamanote, Chuo and Sobu lines were briefly reduced before returning to normal, while operations were suspended on parts of the Joban, Suigun and Hachiko lines.
Asian Games Athletes Evacuated, but Organizers Say Schedule Holds
The rain has also affected the Asian Games, which officially open on the 19th. The event is not using a single large athletes' village, instead housing delegations on cruise ships, in hotels and in temporary wooden container units.
Rainwater seeped into the temporary container accommodations set up near a port, prompting about 400 athletes and officials staying there to evacuate to higher ground. They returned about two hours later. Some venues also suffered roof leaks.
Nagoya officials said the Games would not be affected. Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said damage was limited, including rainwater leaking into some buildings, but that athletes were safe, venue facilities had not been seriously damaged and the Games could proceed as scheduled.
More than 11,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries will compete at the Games, which open on the 19th. Preliminary competition in some sports, including basketball, begins on the 10th.
The Japan Meteorological Agency expects scattered rain to continue in Aichi Prefecture, the host region, through the 10th. It also said heavy rain could persist from western Japan to the Tohoku region as a tropical depression merges with the front and moves northeast. Warning-level rainfall is likely to continue through the 9th in the Tokai, Kinki, Shikoku and Kanto-Koshin regions, requiring caution against further damage.
