Watch: Tokyo battles severe floods, streets and metro stations submerged; flights halted

Heavy rainfall in Japan’s Tokyo has thrown life out of gear as the weather change caused flooding on roads and halted rail and air traffic. The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the city received 12 centimetres of rainfall in just an hour.

Local media reports say that one person has died due to the rains, after several stacked containers collapsed at a port in Tokyo’s Ota Ward. One person has been left injured following the accident.

Air traffic control and other ground services at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport were halted because of lightning, preventing aircraft from taking off. Railway operations were also temporarily suspended, including the bullet train and other lines in the region.

The Yazawa River overflowed in Setagaya Ward, while the Tachiai River breached its banks in Shinagawa Ward. At one point, the Setagaya Ward office issued evacuation advice to over 1,200 households.

❗️Severe floods have hit Tokyo — streets and metro stations underwater

Tokyo International Airport has temporarily shut down amid frequent lightning strikes pic.twitter.com/EqHJGcmIPr

— RT (@RT_com) September 12, 2025

Residents of Tokyo reported flooding on streets, causing traffic snarls, while some even said to had seen hail.  According to the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, more than 7,000 homes in Tokyo were without power at one point. By late Thursday, power had been restored to most of them.

Authorities warned of more thunderstorms overnight and urged residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and monitor weather updates.

With inputs from agencies