Nine killed in Japan as heavy rains trigger flooding

Heavy rains and flooding in Japan"s Chiba Prefecture have killed nine people, while one person remains missing.

According to NHK One, cited by Report, the flooding damaged 1,256 buildings and 1,200 vehicles, destroyed several roads, caused disruptions to electricity and water supplies, and led to delays in rail services.

The impact of the severe weather has been reported across 22 cities and towns in the prefecture. According to meteorologists, the city of Chiba received roughly three times the amount of rainfall in half a day that it normally receives throughout the entire month of August.

As of the morning of August 16, more than 100 people had been evacuated to temporary shelters, while around 600 people were affected by the flooding.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that heavy rain will continue overnight and that there is a risk of landslides.

On August 13, emergency measures were introduced in 18 cities in Chiba Prefecture due to heavy rainfall.