Japan's Nagoya goes underwater after record rain unleashes extreme floods

Nagoya in central Japan was hit by torrential rain on Tuesday, September 8, triggering widespread flooding, disrupting public transport and forcing thousands of people to seek shelter.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) recorded 219.5 mm of rain in Nagoya on September 8, making it the third-highest September daily rainfall recorded at the city's observation station.JMA data also shows that the rain included an exceptionally intense period, with 101.5 mm falling in one hour.The record rain was driven by an extremely active autumn weather front over central Japan, which produced a concentrated band of thunderstorms and intense rainfall across Aichi and neighbouring areas. Meanwhile in Nagoya, JapanThe City of Nagoya (population 2.5 million) just experienced the most amount of rainfall in its recorded history.A level 5 Warning is in place after 104mm of rain landed within an hour.Below is the Shonai River which flows through the city pic.twitter.com/sInwUKMblb— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) September 8, 2026 The downpour prompted Japan's authorities to issue a Level 5 special flood warning for the Shonai River, which flows through Aichi and Gifu prefectures.The JMA said areas within the expected inundation zone faced an extremely high possibility that a disaster had already occurred.WHAT'S BEHIND THE EXTREME FLOODS IN NAGOYA? The flooding followed an episode of exceptionally heavy rain over central Japan.The JMA's Nagoya office issued a briefing on the heavy rain on September 8, while the Shonai River warning was issued as water levels rose sharply.The intense rainfall overwhelmed parts of the city's drainage and road network, while rising river levels increased the threat of flooding. A car drives along a flooded road in Nagoya, central Japan. (Photo: Reuters) Nagoya was among the areas affected as the rain intensified across Aichi Prefecture.The flooding also came just days before the 2026 Asian Games, which begin in Nagoya on September 19.Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said about 400 athletes and staff staying in temporary accommodation were briefly moved to higher ground. About 3,500 residents also sought refuge at emergency evacuation centres, according to news agency Associated Press.FLOODED HOMES AND INJURIES REPORTEDAichi Prefecture's official damage report, updated at 8:30 am IST on September 9, recorded 23 people with minor injuries, including 21 in Nagoya and two in Kitanagoya.The report recorded no deaths in the prefecture from the flooding as of 8:30 am IST on the same day.In Nagoya, 25 homes were flooded above floor level and 13 below floor level, while two homes suffered partial damage.Across Aichi Prefecture, the figures were 45 homes flooded above floor level and 45 below floor level.The flooding also stranded or affected about 200 vehicles, while Nagoya's bus and subway services were temporarily suspended, according to the Associated Press.WHILE EVERYONE isFocused on #Lowell Hawaii,*near 100% Power Outage Kauai County*Kau[ai]-> AI AGINagoya Japan Has Become An OCEAN*Ueda River Flood*japanese cars, too smallI Already Warned, Entire Earth is Going Down, Started in 2012#Nihon Nippon #Flood pic.twitter.com/PmPzTlfJtC— DayWalker378 (@DayWalker378) September 8, 2026The latest official updates show the situation is being closely monitored, with Aichi Prefecture continuing to publish damage and disruption reports as authorities assess the impact of the heavy rain.- EndsPublished On: Sep 9, 2026 13:56 IST