Unprecedented rainfall struck Japan and South Korea from late last week into this week, breaking hourly records near Tokyo, prompting evacuations and power cuts, and leaving 13 people confirmed dead.
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Key facts
- Chiba, near Tokyo, recorded 115mm of rain in a single hour on 13 August, a record.
- Nearby Sakura broke its own record with 97mm in one hour.
- Japan issued its first-ever level 5 emergency heavy-rain warning since the system began in May.
- More than 100,000 households were asked to evacuate; over 20,000 in Chiba prefecture lost power.
- Thirteen people were confirmed dead and one remained missing.
South Korea and Japan were struck by extreme rainfall late last week and into this week, breaking records and causing widespread disruption, according to the Guardian’s weather tracker.
On 13 August, the city of Chiba near Tokyo recorded a record-breaking 115mm of rainfall in just one hour. The nearby city of Sakura broke its own record with 97mm in a single hour, underscoring the intensity of the downpours affecting the region.
In response, local authorities issued a level 5 emergency warning for heavy rain. This is the highest alert level available and, according to the Guardian, the first time such a warning has been issued since the system was implemented in May.
The scale of the emergency prompted mass evacuations. More than 100,000 households were asked to leave their homes, while over 20,000 households in Chiba prefecture were left without power. Thousands of people were stranded at Tokyo’s Narita airport as transport was thrown into chaos.
Thirteen people have been confirmed dead, at least three of whom were found trapped inside their vehicles. One person remained missing at the time of reporting.
The Guardian also reported that Hurricane Lala battered Hawaii during the same period, adding to a run of severe weather events around the world.
Why it matters
Record-breaking hourly rainfall totals and the first-ever use of Japan's top emergency alert highlight how intense extreme weather has become. With mass evacuations, power cuts and deaths, the events show the growing human cost of such downpours for densely populated areas.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Japan flooding?
Thirteen people have been confirmed dead, at least three of whom were found trapped inside their vehicles, and one person remained missing, according to the Guardian.
How much rain fell near Tokyo?
Chiba recorded a record 115mm of rainfall in one hour on 13 August, while nearby Sakura broke its own record with 97mm in one hour.
What was the emergency warning issued in Japan?
Local authorities issued a level 5 emergency warning for heavy rain, the highest alert level and the first issued since the system was implemented in May.
Timeline
- Weather tracker: Extreme rainfall deluges Japan and South Korea
The Guardian World: Unprecedented downpours cause deaths, evacuations and transport chaos. Plus, Hurricane Lala batters Hawaii South Korea and Japan were hit by extreme rainfall late last week and into this week. On 13 August in the city of Chiba near Tokyo there was a record-breaking 115mm of rainf
- Weather tracker: Extreme rain deluges Japan and South Korea
The Guardian World: Downpours break records and cause transport chaos, evacuations and deaths, as people get trapped inside vehicles South Korea and Japan were hit by extreme rain late last week and into this week. On 13 August in the city of Chiba near Tokyo there was a record-breaking 115mm of rai