Extreme Rain Hits Japan, Leaving 4 Dead and Thousands Stranded

Jakarta, ThedailyID — At least four people died after unprecedented heavy rainfall hit Japan’s Chiba Prefecture on Thursday night, August 13, 2026.

The Chiba Prefectural Disaster Management Office reported record-breaking rainfall across the region. The extreme weather also triggered landslide warnings and widespread power outages.

Authorities said one victim was a man in his 60s or 70s who was found floating on a flooded road. Another victim was a 66-year-old woman trapped inside a submerged vehicle.

A third victim, whose age was unknown, was found unconscious on a road. Authorities have yet to identify the fourth victim.

Officials are also concerned about two other people. One person was reportedly feared dead, while another remained missing as of Friday morning.

Nearly 26,000 homes across Chiba had lost electricity by Friday, August 14. Meanwhile, flooding affected 45 homes in Ichikawa, Kashiwa and Sakura.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned Thursday that the rainfall could reach unprecedented levels. Chiba initially reached Level 5, the highest warning level, before authorities lowered it to Level 4 on Friday morning.

The extreme weather also disrupted transportation across the region. Around 6,000 people spent the night stranded in Narita, which is home to one of the main airports serving Tokyo.

Hundreds more remained stranded at Chiba Station after railway services were suspended.

The heavy rainfall marks one of the most severe weather events to hit Chiba in recent years, with authorities continuing to assess the damage and search for missing people.