Death toll rises to 8 after record rain batters Japan's Chiba Prefecture

Eight people died in Chiba Prefecture after record amounts of rainfall pounded eastern Japan through early Friday, local authorities said.

Eight people have been confirmed dead in the cities of Chiba, Kashiwa, Ichikawa, Sakura and Yachiyo, while four people sustained minor injuries, according to the Chiba Prefectural Government.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Chiba City received 348 mm of rain in the 12 hours through 1:40 a.m. local time Friday, a record-breaking amount. It is roughly three times the city's average rainfall for the entire month of August, all falling in just half a day.

The JMA had earlier issued a Level 5 Emergency Warning for heavy rain and landslides in parts of Chiba Prefecture, its highest alert level. All of the warnings were downgraded on Friday morning to Level 4 or lower.

Weather officials warned that further downpours are possible, urging people to remain on their guard.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, as of 11 a.m. local time Friday, the evacuation orders remained in effect for around 102,600 people in Chiba Prefecture.

Approximately 7,000 passengers were stranded overnight at Narita Airport in the prefecture as the downpour paralyzed train and bus operations, the airport operator said.

xinhua