Sports
Record Rainfall Prompts Brief Evacuation of Asian Games Athletes in Nagoya
By AFP and The Associated Press
Hundreds of athletes competing in the Asian Games were temporarily evacuated from their accommodations in Nagoya, Japan, after record rainfall struck the host city, officials confirmed. Approximately 104mm (4 inches) of rain fell within an hour on Tuesday, prompting municipal authorities to issue an evacuation order for parts of the city.
The downpour came just a day before several pre-opening ceremony competitions were scheduled to begin on Thursday. Rainwater seeped into some competition venues, and further wet weather is forecast in the coming days. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and severity of such weather events in Japan and elsewhere to human-induced climate change.
Unlike previous editions, this year's Asian Games does not have a dedicated athletes' village. Instead, organizers are using a cruise ship, temporary wooden shipping containers, and hotels to house participants. A Nagoya Port Authority official said hundreds of athletes staying in the wooden container housing at the city's Garden Pier area were instructed to relocate to safety during the storm. They were allowed to return roughly two hours later once the evacuation order was lifted.
Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa told reporters on Wednesday that despite widespread flooding, no athletes were harmed. He said about 400 athletes and staff members housed in the converted shipping containers were briefly moved to higher ground during the heavy rainfall. According to Hirosawa, some venues experienced roof leaks, but no significant damage was reported.
The Asian Games are officially set to open on September 19, though some events, including basketball, begin earlier on Thursday. While rainwater was discovered in several venues, Hirosawa said the impact was limited and would not affect the competition schedule. "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, adding that he did not foresee any obstacles to holding the games as planned.
More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the event, a larger turnout than the Olympics typically draws. The storm also disrupted public transportation, with subway and bus services in Nagoya temporarily suspended on Tuesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the region, and local media reported that around 3,500 people sought shelter at emergency evacuation centers.