Tokyo Rain for 37 Days Sets New Record
Record broken for the longest streak of rain in central Tokyo
Tokyo just broke a record for consecutive days of rain, with 37 days of rainfall from Aug 27 to Oct 2. The previous record was 33 days, set in 2019. Following weeks of heavy rain and typhoons, Tokyo finally sees a break in the wet weather as the Kanto region recovers from the latest spell of unsettled conditions.
Major typhoons pass through Kanto
The rainfall was particularly heavy in September, as two major typhoons swept through the region. Typhoon Krovanh was the first to pass through Kanto on Sep 6 and 7.
Two weeks later, Typhoon Dujuan came through the region, bringing further disruptions, with at least 13 people dead due to flooding and landslides. A further four people remain missing.
The typhoon badly damaged neighboring Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, including the collapse of levees around Lake Inbanuma in Chiba and flooding in popular tourist areas in Kamakura and Hakone.
Experts attribute the prolonged wet spell to a combination of climate change and El Niño, according to The Guardian.
Typhoon grounds 275 flights and halts JR lines
Typhoon Dujuan disrupted rail services across Tokyo, and Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled 275 flights. On Sep 21, JR East suspended services on several lines, cutting connections between the capital and surrounding areas.
The storm coincided with the Silver Week holiday period, a cluster of national holidays in September. Many outdoor events were also canceled across the region.
More than 1.9 million urged to evacuate
As typhoons struck, authorities urged more than 1.9 million people in Tokyo and five other prefectures to evacuate on Sep 21 due to landslide and flood concerns.
Preparing for a typhoon
With long spells of rain interrupting work and vacation plans alike, it’s important to know what to do when a strong typhoon hits.
Whether in the city, near the coast, or in areas prone to landslides or floods, getting familiar with the surroundings and knowing where to go can make a big difference in an emergency.
Putting together an emergency kit is another helpful step.
Want to learn more? Read our typhoon preparation guide for practical tips.
For another type of natural disaster, see our guide to what to do during an earthquake in Japan.
