Asian Games Athletes Evacuated as Record Rainfall Deluges Nagoya, Japan

A car drives along a road flooded by heavy rain while banners for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are visible in the background in Nagoya, central Japan. Hundreds of Asian Games athletes in Japan were briefly evacuated from their accommodation as record rainfall lashed host city Nagoya, officials have reported.

Approximately 104mm (4 inches) of rain fell in a single hour in Nagoya on Tuesday, leading municipal officials to issue an evacuation order for specific areas of the city. Competition is scheduled to begin on Thursday, though rainwater has already leaked into some competition venues and additional wet weather remains in the forecast.

Scientists note that human-induced climate change is driving an increase in both the frequency and intensity of weather events in Japan and globally. This year’s Asian Games lacks a dedicated athletes’ village, with organisers instead utilizing a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers, and local hotels.

An official with Nagoya Port Authority stated that "hundreds" of athletes staying in the city’s Garden Pier area—where the wooden container huts are situated—were instructed to move to safety. Athletes were permitted to return after the evacuation order was lifted roughly two hours later.

Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa confirmed that the extensive flooding left all athletes unharmed. "We are not worried about the conditions of the venues, and we believe there is no problem holding the Asian Games as planned," he told reporters on Wednesday.

Mayor Hirosawa noted that about 400 athletes and staff members residing in converted shipping containers—remodelled as temporary housing units for the Asian Games—were briefly moved to higher ground during the storm. He added that while there were several leaking roofs, no further significant damage occurred across the dozens of games venues.

The Asian Games are officially set to open with a ceremony on September 19, though select events begin earlier, starting with basketball on Thursday.

Despite rainwater infiltrating multiple competition venues, Mayor Hirosawa reassured the public that facilities sustained no critical damage and events will proceed 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 stated. "Given the current circumstances, I believe there will be no obstacles to holding the Asian Games."

More than 17,000 athletes and officials are anticipated for the games, a total surpassing the Olympics. During the storm, subway and bus services in Nagoya were temporarily suspended on Tuesday, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the region. Local media sources indicated that approximately 3,500 people sought shelter at emergency evacuation centres.