7,000 Stranded at Airport, Many Koreans Among Them... Emergency as Record-Breaking Rain Hits Greater Tokyo Area

Four Dead, Highways Flooded and Transportation Paralyzed
Thunderstorm Advisory in Effect Until Saturday Morning; Authorities Urge Caution

Record-breaking heavy rain that struck the Tokyo metropolitan area paralyzed the transportation network, leaving around 7,000 passengers stranded at the airport.

On the 13th (local time), passengers stranded due to heavy rain are sitting at a subway station in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

According to Fuji News Network (FNN) and other media in Japan on August 14, three people died in Chiba Prefecture due to torrential rain that continued from the 13th until the early morning of the 14th. In Kashiwa City, an elderly woman was found in cardiopulmonary arrest after being trapped in a flooded car and was transported to the hospital.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the highest level of heavy rain warnings for at least 20 cities and towns, including Chiba Prefecture and Ichihara. In central Chiba, rainfall exceeded 115mm in just one hour, matching the average monthly precipitation for August.

Record-breaking heavy rain paralyzed the transportation network, causing disruptions in the use of Narita Airport in Japan. Photo by X Capture

As train services by JR and Keisei Electric Railway, airport buses, and taxi operations were all suspended due to the heavy rain, about 7,000 passengers were stranded at the airport as of 4 a.m. on August 14. The Chiba prefectural government opened 17 temporary shelters, including the prefectural office and Makuhari Messe, accommodating around 3,900 people.

Passengers who could not use these shelters spent the night in the airport lobby and other areas. The airport distributed relief goods such as sleeping bags, biscuits, and water to those stranded on the second floor of Terminal 3. As most restaurants in the airport were closed, long lines of more than 80 people formed in front of a 24-hour restaurant in Terminal 3 during the early morning hours.

Roads were flooded by the heavy downpour, further crippling the transportation network. As of 7 a.m. on August 14, sections of several highways, including the Chiba-Togane Expressway, Higashi-Kanto Expressway, Keiyo Road, and Tateyama Expressway, remained closed to traffic.

Early morning on the 14th, restaurant notices and relief supplies distributed at the airport. Screenshot of X.

The airport announced that service on the Sky Access Line, which had been suspended, resumed with the train departing toward Oyasu at 5:30 a.m. All seats are now allocated as reserved in order to prevent further confusion.

However, since long lines continue to form in some areas, passengers are reportedly searching for alternative routes, such as reserving airport limousine buses. While there has been no official notice regarding cancellations for the limousine bus, passengers are advised to check the operation status as highway controls are still in place.

Around 8:40 a.m., Narita Airport's official X account announced, "If you purchase a Skyliner ticket online, you may book a canceled service," and advised customers wishing to buy tickets to use station ticket counters rather than the website.

Skyliner Ticket Information Notice. Official EX Capture of Narita Airport

According to JR’s detailed operation plans by line, ▲the Uchibo Line (Chiba~Kimitsu), ▲the Sotobo Line (Chiba~Mobara), ▲the Sobu Main Line (Chiba~Yotsukaido), and ▲the Narita Line (Chiba~Yotsukaido) are expected to resume service around noon. In addition, ▲the Uchibo Line (Kimitsu~Awakamogawa), ▲the Sobu Main Line (Yotsukaido~Naruto), ▲the Narita Line (Yotsukaido~Narita), and ▲the Togane Line (Oami~Naruto) are scheduled to resume service in the evening.

However, restoration will take longer for some sections, and there is currently no timetable for resumption. The ▲Sotobo Line (Mobara~Awakamogawa) and the entire ▲Kururi Line (Kisarazu~Kamisugameyama) remain closed with no clear outlook for reopening.

There are also ongoing disruptions in limited express train services. The limited express trains "Sazanami," "Wakashio," and "Shiosai" will be suspended for the entire day. The Narita Express (N'EX), which is crucial for airport access, will also be suspended until around 3 p.m., so passengers using these routes are advised to check operation updates in advance.

On social networking services (SNS), Korean travelers have been actively sharing information about the situation at each terminal. Posts include, "The restaurants in Terminal 2 will operate until ingredients run out," "Looking for someone to share a ride from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station by Uber, please contact me," and "All incoming buses to the airport have been canceled, but outbound buses have not been canceled," among others.

Previously, the Japanese meteorological authorities explained, "Humid air has flowed in under the influence of the tropical depression weakened from Typhoon No. 15 and a high-pressure system," and warned that flights to and from Narita, Fukushima, and Sendai airports could be affected by severe weather.

According to AccuWeather, up to 200mm of rain is forecast for the Narita region throughout August 14. The Japan Meteorological Agency noted that the rain is expected to subside from around 1 p.m., but flood advisories will remain in place until 6 p.m., and thunderstorm advisories until 6 a.m. the following day, urging continued caution due to the risk of sudden localized heavy rain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.