Record rainfall in Chiba triggered severe flooding, disrupted road and rail links and left around 7,000 travellers stranded overnight at Narita Airport.

Record rainfall in eastern Japan has caused severe flooding in Chiba Prefecture, disrupting transport and leaving thousands of travellers stranded at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. Around 7,000 passengers were reported to have remained inside the airport terminals after rail and road connections were disrupted.

The flooding struck during one of Japan’s busiest holiday travel periods, creating major difficulties for passengers trying to reach or leave the airport. Airport staff distributed sleeping bags, water and snacks as stranded travellers spent the night inside the terminals.

Record Rainfall Hits Chiba

Parts of Chiba received more than 360 mm of rain within 24 hours, inundating roads and railway lines and overwhelming drainage systems. The intense rainfall also caused widespread flooding in communities east of Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level heavy rain warning for several municipalities as the situation deteriorated. Authorities also warned residents about the risk of landslides and further flooding as the ground remained saturated.

Transport Links Severed

Floodwaters disrupted major rail services and roads connecting Narita with Tokyo and surrounding areas. The disruption left passengers unable to continue their journeys even when flights themselves were operating.

Some rail services began resuming in stages on Friday, although delays, cancellations and long queues continued. An airport spokesperson said most flights were expected to operate normally, limiting the disruption mainly to ground transportation.

Deaths Reported Across Region

The flooding has also caused fatalities and widespread damage across Chiba. Reuters reported that eight people had died, including a person trapped in a submerged vehicle. Emergency personnel, including soldiers, were deployed to assist with rescue operations.

Power supplies were also affected. More than 20,000 homes were without electricity during the early hours of Friday after flooding damaged a power substation, while gas supplies were temporarily disrupted for thousands of households.

Shelters Open for Stranded People

The airport was not the only location where people were forced to spend the night. Thousands of commuters were stranded at railway stations, while hundreds sought shelter in government buildings and temporary evacuation centres.

At Chiba city, emergency facilities provided shelter to people unable to return home because of flooded roads and transport disruptions. Authorities continued rescue and relief operations as water levels gradually receded.

Officials Warn of Further Risks

Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as extremely unusual and said he had never experienced a disaster of this nature despite responding to numerous previous emergencies.

Japan’s authorities continued to caution residents against entering flooded areas and urged people to follow evacuation advisories. Although the most severe rainfall had eased, swollen rivers and waterlogged ground remained a concern.

Recovery Efforts Underway

Transport operators and emergency agencies are working to restore normal connectivity around Narita and other affected areas. Passengers have been advised to allow additional travel time and check transport and flight updates before leaving the airport.

The latest Japan floods have highlighted the vulnerability of transport networks when extreme rainfall simultaneously affects roads, railways and surrounding infrastructure. With recovery continuing across Chiba, authorities remain focused on restoring services while monitoring the risk of additional flooding and landslides.