Nagoya, a city in Japan in began assessing the damage from record rainfall on Wednesday after Japan’s highest-level flood warning for the Shonai River was lowered overnight and evacuation instructions were withdrawn. Nagoya City said the Disaster Relief Act had been applied across the city from September 8, opening the way for emergency assistance in areas affected by the flooding.The first official damage assessment released by the Aichi Prefectural Government on Wednesday reported three minor injuries — one in Nagoya and two in Kitanagoya. One house was partially damaged, while 16 homes were flooded above floor level and 27 below it. About 200 vehicles in Nagoya were also reported flooded and unable to move.The immediate river threat eased during the early hours of Wednesday. The Level 5 flood warning for the Shonai River was lowered to a Level 2 advisory at 12.40am, according to Jiji Press. Nagoya City separately said it withdrew a Level 4 evacuation instruction for the Yada River at 2.45am after conditions fell below the relevant threshold.Nagoya is the capital of Aichi prefecture in central Japan and home to about 2.35 million people, according to city data. The city is a major transport and industrial centre in the Tokai region.
Record rain hits Nagoya
The emergency followed an exceptional spell of rain on Tuesday.Japan Meteorological Agency data show Nagoya received 104.5mm of rain in one hour on September 8, the highest hourly total recorded at the station since observations began in 1890. The previous record was 97mm, set in September 2000. Nagoya received 219.5mm of rain over the day, according to JMA.A video posted by the X account GlobeUpdate purports to show flooding in Nagoya during Tuesday’s downpour. The post cites the 104.5mm hourly rainfall figure, which matches JMA data.Heavy rain repeatedly hit Aichi and neighbouring Gifu prefecture as developed rain clouds passed over the same areas. Roads were inundated and transport was disrupted across Nagoya.Nagoya City said bus and subway services were affected and temporary refuge facilities were opened for people unable to return home after public transport was disrupted.The Associated Press reported that about 3,500 people sought shelter during the flooding.
Highest flood warning issued
As conditions deteriorated on Tuesday evening, Japanese meteorological and river authorities issued a Level 5 flood warning for the Shonai River.The Japan Meteorological Agency said the warning was issued on September 8 after the river reached conditions indicating an extremely high likelihood that a disaster had already occurred in designated flood-risk areas.Level 5 is the highest category in Japan’s five-tier disaster warning system. It is used when people may already be facing life-threatening conditions and immediate action to secure safety is required.Nagoya separately issued Level 5 emergency safety instructions in affected areas as the rain intensified.The warnings were gradually lowered as river levels receded overnight, shifting the focus by Wednesday morning from immediate evacuation to damage assessment and relief.
Flooding hits Asian Games host city
The flooding also came at a sensitive time for Nagoya, which is preparing to co-host the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from September 19. About 400 athletes and staff who had already arrived for the Games were temporarily moved to higher ground during the heavy rain. They later returned after the evacuation order was withdrawn.More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are expected to take part in the Games.Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the Games venues had suffered no major damage, according to AP, although some facilities reported roof leaks. Organisers expect the event to proceed as scheduled.With the highest flood alert lifted, authorities on Wednesday were turning to the scale of damage left by the September 8 downpour, even as relief measures under the Disaster Relief Act began to take effect.
