In brief
- Major highways in Chiba, including routes linking Narita airport with central Tokyo, remained closed.
- Tropical Storm Lala is set to lash Hawaii, whose last tropical storm was in 2018.
Record rainfall has left thousands of travellers stranded at Tokyo's Narita airport as flooding disrupted transport, knocked out power and claimed at least four lives.
More than 360mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to Friday in parts of Chiba prefecture, which adjoins the capital Tokyo, inundating roads and railways. The heavy rain caused power outages to nearly 25,000 households during one of Japan's busiest holiday weeks.
Authorities said four deaths have been confirmed, including at least one person who had been trapped in a submerged vehicle.
Soldiers have been dispatched to the area to help with relief efforts.
"This case was an extremely unusual situation, even by Japan's historical weather standards," Chiba governor Toshihito Kumagai told reporters on Friday.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"I have responded to many disasters in the past, but I have never experienced a case like this."
The transport disruption left around 7,000 people stranded at Narita airport, an airport spokesperson said, adding that all flights are scheduled to operate normally on Friday. Japan Airlines said some flights may experience delays but no cancellations are currently expected.
Major highways in Chiba, including routes linking Narita airport, one of Japan's main international transport hubs, with central Tokyo, remained closed, forcing drivers onto alternative routes and causing heavy traffic, according to highway operator NEXCO East.
Several rail services remained suspended on Friday morning, though some trains connecting Narita to Tokyo had resumed operations.
Pacific weather mayhem
Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hawaii has declared a state of emergency on Friday as it prepared for Tropical Storm Lala, which could bring powerful winds, flooding and landslides this weekend.
The Pacific storm is gaining strength according to the United States' National Weather Service, which expects it to become a hurricane as it approaches.
Winds were blowing at around 80km/h and the storm could dump up to 63.5 cm of rain in parts of the Hawaii, the weather service added.
Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency in response to the threat, an administrative measure that frees up funds, resources and personnel in the event of damage.
"Tropical Storm Lala poses a serious threat to our state, particularly Hawaii Island — and we are taking action now to ensure resources are available where they are needed," he said.
With 210,000 residents, Hawaii Island is the archipelago's second-most populous island, far behind Oahu, which is home to more than one million people.
The storm's path remains uncertain, but it is expected to remain offshore.
The last tropical storm to directly strike the archipelago was in 2018.
El Niño, a weather phenomenon that is particularly strong this year, is warming the equatorial Pacific and increasing the likelihood of cyclones. Meteorologists expect a much more active-than-average hurricane season in the region.
Scientists regularly warn that climate change, caused by humanity's burning of fossil fuels, is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.
