Chiba floods: record rain leaves cars and homes submerged, five dead
Record rainfall in Chiba prefecture has caused severe flooding, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and killing at least five people.
Severe flooding in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, has left hundreds of vehicles abandoned in muddy waters and claimed at least five lives, according to local authorities. The deluge, described as record-breaking, has also forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported unprecedented rainfall levels on Thursday, with Chiba City receiving 1.5 centimeters of rain in a single hour. The city of Sakura saw even more intense downpours, with 9.7 centimeters falling in just one hour.
Aerial footage from the affected areas shows entire neighbourhoods under water, with fire engines navigating flooded streets and rescue personnel working to reach stranded residents. Numerous cars remain partially or fully submerged, some bearing handwritten notes indicating they are damaged and awaiting towing.
Search and rescue operations continued through Saturday morning, with one person still reported missing in Chiba City. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as emergency crews work to clear the affected areas and restore normalcy.