09/09/2026
Record Rainfall Pounds Nagoya, Injuring 41 and Damaging 200 Vehicles
NAGOYA, Japan — Torrential rainfall struck Japan's fourth-largest city on Wednesday, injuring 41 people, damaging around 200 vehicles, and forcing 1,600 residents into evacuation shelters, authorities said.
The downpour, described by local officials as record-breaking for the region, overwhelmed drainage systems across Nagoya, flooding roads, underpasses, and low-lying residential districts in a matter of hours. Emergency responders were deployed throughout the city to conduct rescues and assist stranded motorists.
City officials confirmed that the 41 injured sustained mostly minor wounds, though several were hospitalized for further observation. The full extent of property damage remains under assessment, with early estimates placing the number of damaged vehicles at roughly 200 — many of them submerged in flooded parking areas and streets.
Evacuation centres were opened across the city as a precaution, housing approximately 1,600 residents overnight. Authorities urged those in flood-prone areas to remain at shelters until water levels recede and infrastructure is inspected.
"Residents should avoid non-essential travel and never attempt to cross flooded roads," a city disaster management official said. "Even shallow moving water poses a serious danger."
The heavy rain disrupted rail services and flight operations at Chubu Centrair International Airport, while businesses in the city centre closed early as a safety measure.
Japan's Meteorological Agency said the rainfall was driven by a stalled frontal system over central Honshu, warning that similar weather patterns could affect the region in the coming days. Nagoya has historically been vulnerable to flooding, prompting massive investment in drainage infrastructure following deadly typhoons in previous decades.
Officials said damage assessments and cleanup operations are expected to continue through the week.
— with reporting from Kyodo News