'Unprecedented' rains in Japan kill four people

What the report says

At least four people have died and five others were injured after record rainfall hit Chiba prefecture in eastern Japan, near Tokyo, according to BBC World News. The storm was described by local authorities as “unprecedented” and brought more than 100mm of rain per hour in some areas since Thursday afternoon, triggering flooding, landslides and major disruption. Officials also reported that more than 20,000 households lost power.

The heavy rain stranded about 7,000 travelers overnight at Tokyo’s Narita airport and led to transportation problems across the region, with several rail services suspended and some highways closed. Emergency alerts were raised to the highest level on Thursday before being lowered on Friday morning, although authorities continued to warn of further flood and landslide risks. More than 100,000 households were advised to evacuate as rescue operations continued.

BBC World News reported that Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai called the weather highly unusual and said saving lives remained the priority. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the deluge was caused by warm, humid air meeting colder air aloft, creating unstable conditions. The episode comes amid a run of storms affecting Japan and nearby countries during what forecasters have described as a particularly active typhoon season.