Asian Games athletes forced to evacuate amid record rainfall in Japan

What the report says

Hundreds of athletes taking part in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, were briefly evacuated on Tuesday after record rainfall hit the city, according to Al Jazeera’s report citing local officials and wire services. The heavy rain led municipal authorities to issue evacuation orders in parts of Nagoya, where competition is due to start this week.

The report says about 104 mm of rain fell in one hour, causing flooding that affected transport and some accommodation used for athletes and staff. Officials said rainwater also leaked into several competition venues, though the problems were described as limited. In one area near Garden Pier, where some athletes were staying in temporary container-style housing, around 400 athletes and staff were moved to higher ground before returning a couple of hours later.

Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the evacuees were unharmed and that he did not believe the weather damage would disrupt the Games. He said the venues were not seriously affected and that the opening ceremony, scheduled for September 19, remained on track. Early events, including basketball, are set to begin on Thursday.

The article adds that the Games do not have a dedicated athletes’ village this year, with organizers relying instead on hotels, a cruise ship and temporary housing units. More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to attend. As general background, Japan has faced more frequent severe weather events in recent years, a trend scientists link to climate change.