Record rain in Japan forces Asian Games athletes to evacuate accommodation; leaks reported at venues

TOKYO – Hundreds of Asian Games athletes in Japan were briefly evacuated from their accommodation as record rainfall lashed host city Nagoya, with the competition beginning on Sept 10.

Rainwater also leaked into some competition venues, with more wet weather forecast for the coming days.

About 104mm of rain fell in an hour in Nagoya on Sept 8, prompting municipal officials to issue an evacuation order for parts of the city.

Cars were forced to plough through heavily flooded roads, causing huge jams, while water streamed into subway stations.

Scientists say human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of weather events in Japan and elsewhere.

There is no dedicated athletes’ village at this year’s Asian Games, with organisers instead relying on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers and hotels.

An official with the Nagoya Port Authority said that “hundreds” of athletes staying in the city’s Garden Pier area, where the wooden container huts are located, were told to move to safety.

The athletes returned after the evacuation order was lifted about two hours later.

The Asian Games officially begin with an opening ceremony on Sept 19 but several events will get under way before that.

The basketball competition begins on Sept 10.

Rainwater was found at several competition venues but Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the facilities were not seriously affected and that events would go on as scheduled.

“There has been limited impact like rainwater leaking from the roofs of some buildings, but the situation is not so serious that the opening on the 19th is in jeopardy for now,” he said.

“Given the current circumstances, I believe there will be no obstacles to holding the Asian Games.”

More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected at the Games – a higher number compared with the Olympics.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) spokesperson confirmed that there are currently no Singapore athletes or officials in Nagoya.

Athletes from Singapore’s 304-strong contingent are scheduled to begin competing from Sept 16, with modern pentathlete Tahir Ahmed Ansari the first in action at the Anjo Sports Park in Aichi.

The spokesperson said the SNOC is aware of the heavy rainfall in the city and is closely monitoring the situation.

At the chef de mission meeting on Sept 9, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) briefed delegations that heavier rainfall was expected later in the day, said the spokesperson.

The AINAGOC also briefed contingents already in the athletes’ villages on the precautionary measures and evacuation arrangements in the event.

The spokesperson added: “The SNOC will continue to monitor the weather and receive updates from AINAGOC.

“The safety and well-being of our athletes and officials remain our priority, and we will follow the guidance and arrangements put in place by the organisers should the situation require further measures.”

Unable to go home

Subway and bus services in Nagoya were temporarily halted on Sept 8, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the area.

Television footage showed rainwater pouring onto a railway line like a waterfall from elevated ground.

In another part of Nagoya, an abandoned car sat on a pedestrian sidewalk on Sept 9.

“Traffic congestion is terrible because cars that can’t move any more are here and there, blocking the roads,” said Hitomi Terada, who works at a hotel in hard-hit Chigusa district.

“Most of our 25 guest rooms were filled with guests who were unable to go home because of traffic congestion,” the 44-year-old said.

“Some of our hotel employees couldn’t come this morning for work because of traffic problems,” Terada added.

Japan’s weather agency issued warnings on Sept 9 for heavy rain and landslides, with rainfall expected to continue intermittently through Sept 10 in many areas of the country, including Aichi prefecture that is also hosting the Asian Games. AFP