FUKUSHIMA –
A girl in her 60s died after her automobile was submerged in a flooded underpass in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, as file rainfall triggered widespread flooding, landslides and transport disruption throughout Kanto and surrounding areas on September 7, with authorities warning that additional rain was anticipated through the night commute.
In Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture, water lined roadside areas by shortly after 2 p.m., reaching round ankle peak in some locations and turning into so deep farther forward that the underside might not be seen.
Rain intensified once more throughout Chiba Prefecture within the afternoon, prompting Level 4 heavy rain hazard warnings in Kamogawa and Minamiboso.
Heavy rain additionally lowered visibility on an expressway between Kisarazu and Futtsu, with situations turning into so extreme that the street forward appeared white by way of the rainfall.
In Niijima Village and on Izu Oshima in Tokyo’s Izu Islands, authorities issued a Level 5 particular landslide catastrophe warning, whereas emergency security measures had been ordered for greater than 10,000 folks.
Rough seas despatched whitecaps towards the coast, whereas water poured down mountain slopes in torrents resembling waterfalls.
Niijima Village recorded 485 millimeters of rain within the 24 hours by way of 9:40 a.m., the very best stage since observations started.
Oshima Town on Izu Oshima recorded 581.5 millimeters within the 24 hours by way of 2:30 p.m., setting a brand new September file.
The record-breaking rain had continued throughout many areas since earlier than daybreak.
In Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, rain repeatedly strengthened and weakened shortly after 2 a.m.
Heavy rain was falling in Chiba City at across the similar time, with water visibly streaming throughout asphalt roads.
At round 4 a.m., a Level 4 heavy rain hazard warning was issued, whereas an underpass the place a deadly flooding incident occurred through the Chiba torrential rains in August was closed to site visitors as a precaution.
In Narita, accrued rainwater was seen pouring from a practice like a waterfall because it started shifting.
Heavy rain additionally struck Tokyo.
In Adachi Ward at round 3:30 a.m., giant raindrops had been illuminated by streetlights as they pounded the roadway.
The Zenpukuji River in Suginami Ward briefly rose to harmful ranges, prompting a Level 4 flood hazard warning.
Residents in close by neighborhoods positioned sandbags round entrances and different susceptible areas to guard houses from doable flooding.
The heavy rain continued into the morning commuting and college journey interval.
At Shinjuku Station at round 5:30 a.m., one commuter mentioned, “I’m wearing sandals right now, but my feet got completely soaked. It was pretty bad.”
Around JR Kichijoji Station, sandbags had been positioned at retailer entrances to forestall water from coming into buildings.
At JR Akabane Station in Kita Ward, giant numbers of passengers gathered beneath stairways resulting in platforms as entry restrictions gave the impression to be in place.
Saikyo Line companies had been additionally disrupted, with delays of round 10 minutes reported.
At JR Kohoku Station in Abiko, Chiba Prefecture, a discover posted close to the ticket gates mentioned companies between Narita and Abiko had been suspended and that there was no estimate for resumption.
Tape marked “No Entry” was stretched throughout stairs main all the way down to the platform, leaving the station largely abandoned.
One passenger who got here to examine the service board mentioned, “I was planning to go to Abiko Station, but because the rain fell overnight, I hadn’t checked any train information at all. I came here and was surprised.”
Rain confirmed little signal of easing in Tokyo through the afternoon.
Heavy rain continued in Ota Ward, automobiles despatched up giant sprays of water in Adachi Ward, and torrential rain persevered in Chuo Ward, which incorporates Ginza.
In Oamishirasato, Chiba Prefecture, which suffered intensive flooding through the August torrential rain catastrophe, rice crops nearing harvest had been submerged.
Vehicles had been seen turning again from flooded roads, whereas others drove into standing water and despatched up giant splashes. Several automobiles later managed to cross by way of the flooded space with out stopping.
A close-by resident mentioned, “This may really be the worst we’ve ever seen. The area usually floods, but the flooded section is much wider this time, starting much farther back. It could be difficult for everyone.”
A comfort retailer parking zone was additionally extensively flooded, leaving one car stranded.
Road flooding was reported in Sakura, whereas in Sammu, water overflowing from a river unfold throughout close by roads.
An area volunteer firefighter mentioned round eight houses had suffered flooding both beneath or above ground stage.
“The water level in the Minamigawa River ahead of here rose and overflowed, flooding roads and causing water to get under or above the floors of homes,” the firefighter mentioned.
Two folks had been injured in Chiba Prefecture after slipping and falling through the heavy rain.
Flooding was additionally widespread in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, after intense rain fell over a brief interval.
Rainfall peaked between round 6 a.m. and eight a.m., with Onahama in Iwaki recording 34.5 millimeters within the hour by way of shortly after 7 a.m.
An underpass within the metropolis flooded, leaving two automobiles inundated.
One of the automobiles turned submerged, and a lady in her 60s was taken to a hospital unconscious. She was later confirmed lifeless.
Jiro Komori, a professor at Teikyo Heisei University specializing in terrain and catastrophe dangers, mentioned the incident might have been attributable to inland flooding, wherein drainage techniques are unable to deal with the quantity of rainwater.
“Underpasses normally have drains at their lowest point, and because they are low-lying, water is probably pumped out continuously,” Komori mentioned. “One thing we can say with certainty is that the drainage simply could not keep up.”
Rainwater was additionally seen overflowing from drainage channels that usually carry water towards rivers.
Rain was forecast to proceed throughout Kanto through the night commute.
Komori warned drivers to not try and cross by way of flooded underpasses.
“When drainage cannot keep up in places such as underpasses, inland flooding occurs,” he mentioned. “Do not gamble by trying to drive through. Take a detour or wait until the water recedes.”
Elsewhere, landslide particles lined a roadway in Yachiyo, Chiba Prefecture.
In Minobu, Yamanashi Prefecture, a big tree fell throughout a street, prompting emergency elimination work.
A near-term forecast for the doable formation of a linear rainband was additionally issued for the northern Izu Islands, with authorities persevering with to induce warning in opposition to additional heavy rain.
Source: FNN