Record Rainfall Overwhelms Nagoya, Prompting Citywide Relief and Asian Games Evacuations

On September 8 2026, Nagoya experienced its heaviest one-hour downpour on record, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) measuring 104.5 mm of rain in a single hour. The agency issued a Level 5 flood warning for the Shonai River, the highest alert in its system, and warned that additional rain could trigger landslides and rising rivers across the Tokai region. Linear rainbands continued to batter the area, turning streets into streams and submerging sidewalks, bus stops and subway stations.

Nagoya Record Rainfall 2026: 104.5 mm in One Hour Causes Devastating Floods

The city government declared a state of emergency on September 9, announcing citywide disaster relief after at least 41 people sustained minor injuries. Authorities ordered immediate evacuations in parts of Chikusa, Moriyama and Meito wards and urged residents to move to higher ground. The JMA extended its heavy-rain advisory through September 10, emphasizing vigilance for landslides and flooding.

Nagoya Record Rainfall 2026: 104.5 mm in One Hour Causes Devastating Floods

Heavy rain forced the suspension of all six Nagoya Municipal Subway lines around 5:30 p.m., stranded commuters and students overnight. JR Central halted the Tokaido Shinkansen between Okayama and Tokyo, while the Sanyo Shinkansen operated only partially; services resumed near 5:15 p.m. The JR Chuo Line tracks were flooded, and the JR West network reported additional disruptions. Local reports noted 200 vehicles damaged by floodwaters.

The Straits TimesNagoya Record Rainfall 2026: 104.5 mm in One Hour Causes Devastating Floods Parts of Japan hit by flooding as Nagoya sees highest, one-hour rain total Asian Games venues and athletes unharmed by extensive flooding in Nagoya, Japan

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, slated to open on September 19, faced brief disruptions. Approximately 400 athletes and staff housed in converted shipping containers were evacuated to higher ground, and “hundreds” of participants staying at the Garden Pier area were similarly moved. Despite water leaking into several competition venues and roofs, Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa affirmed that the venues remained functional and that the Games would proceed as scheduled.

Al Jazeera (website)

• Rainfall: 104.5 mm in one hour (record).

Parts of Japan hit by flooding as Nagoya sees highest, one-hour rain total

• Injuries: at least 41 minor injuries reported; four injuries cited by prefectural officials.

Al Jazeera (website)

• Evacuees: 1,600 people in shelters (city report) versus about 3,500 people (other reports).

Al Jazeera (website)

• Vehicle damage: 200 vehicles.

Nagoya Streets Flood as Linear Rainbands Hit Aichi and Gifu

• Transportation: full subway shutdown; partial suspension of Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.

The Straits Times

Sources differ on the scale of shelter usage: the city’s emergency briefing listed 1,600 evacuees, while international outlets reported approximately 3,500 people seeking refuge. Injury counts also vary, with some officials citing four minor injuries and others noting at least 41. No source provided a definitive post-event damage assessment for the Asian Games venues, leaving the full extent of infrastructure impact unclear.

Al Jazeera (website)

• “We are not worried about the conditions of the venues and we believe there is no problem holding the Asian Games as planned,” — Ichiro Hirosawa, mayor

Asian Games venues and athletes unharmed by extensive flooding in Nagoya, Japan

• “Traffic congestion is terrible because cars that can’t move any more are here and there, blocking the roads,” — Hitomi Terada

The Straits Times