World News
Torrential rain hits Japan and South Korea, causing 13 deaths and widespread disruption
Record-setting downpours triggered Japan's highest emergency weather alert, widespread evacuations, power cuts, and transit delays as major Pacific storms also developed.
The short version
- Historic rainfall inundated parts of Japan and South Korea, prompting the first level 5 heavy rain emergency alert issued under Japan's current warning system.
- The disaster resulted in at least 13 confirmed deaths and one missing person in Japan, along with power outages for over 20,000 households in Chiba prefecture and thousands stranded at Narita airport.
- More than 100,000 households were advised to evacuate in Japan following unprecedented hourly rainfall records in multiple cities.
- Forecasters are monitoring ongoing Pacific storm activity, including Tropical Storm Saudel as it tracks toward the Northern Mariana Islands and Japan's Okinawa prefecture.
Key facts
- Record rainfall struck Japan on 13 August, with Chiba recording 115 mm and Sakura recording 97 mm in a single hour.[The Guardian]
- Authorities in Japan issued a level 5 emergency heavy rain alert, marking the first time the highest warning was activated since the system's introduction in May.[The Guardian]
- At least 13 people died, including three found trapped in vehicles, and one person was reported missing in Japan.[The Guardian]
- The storm caused power outages in over 20,000 homes in Chiba prefecture, evacuation advisories for more than 100,000 households, and stranded thousands of travelers at Tokyo's Narita airport.[The Guardian]
- In South Korea, the city of Geoje recorded 124.5 mm of rainfall within one hour and over 400 mm overnight on 17 August.[The Guardian]
- Separately in the Pacific, Hurricane Lala reached Category 4 status after bypassing Hawaii, while Tropical Storm Saudel formed near Micronesia with forecasts projecting strengthening toward Okinawa.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The status and location of the single person reported missing in Japan remain unconfirmed.[The Guardian]
- The exact trajectory, landfall likelihood, and peak intensity of Tropical Storm Saudel as it approaches the Northern Mariana Islands and Okinawa prefecture remain subject to change.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Weather tracker: Extreme rain deluges Japan and South KoreaThe Guardian - World