Evacuation Orders Issued for Over 400,000 in Chiba After Deadly Rains in France

At least four people died in eastern Japan after unprecedented heavy rain left nearly 7,000 stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport and forced thousands to take refuge in government buildings. Evacuation orders were issued for more than 400,000 people in Chiba prefecture and surrounding areas. The torrential rains hit Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, on Thursday night, triggering landslide warnings and power outages.

About 45,000 homes lost power as 115mm of rain fell per hour — approximately the same amount usually recorded for the entire month of August. It was the first time the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest level 5 warning for heavy rain and landslides for the prefecture. The body of a man believed to be in his 60s or 70s was found floating in a flooded road in Ichikawa City, while a 66-year-old woman was killed when her car became trapped in floodwaters in Sakura City.

Two other people reportedly died after being unable to escape their cars during the flooding. Soldiers have been dispatched to the area to assist with relief efforts. This case was an extremely unusual situation, Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai told reporters on Friday morning.