KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 - Malaysians in Japan are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and remain vigilant as unprecedented rainfall has triggered severe flooding and major transport disruptions across Chiba Prefecture and surrounding areas of the Kanto region.
The Malaysian Embassy in Tokyo said road and rail networks had been severely disrupted, leaving thousands of travellers stranded, including an estimated 7,000 people at Narita International Airport.
"Malaysians in Japan are advised to stay away from flooded or low-lying areas, exercise increased caution, remain vigilant and monitor local conditions closely, transport updates, evacuation notices, and instructions issued by the Japanese authorities," it said in a Facebook post today.
Kyodo News reported that at least eight people have died in the torrential rain that pounded eastern Japan, while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its highest Level Five rain warning for more than one-third of the municipalities in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.
Evacuation orders were issued for more than 400,000 people at one point, while thousands of travellers were stranded overnight at Narita International Airport after flooding disrupted road and rail links.
The embassy also advised Malaysians to refer to the JMA for the latest weather updates, warnings and advisories at www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html.
In an emergency, citizens may contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo at +81-3-3476-3840 during office hours or the emergency hotline at +81-70-1471-9756 after office hours.
They may also contact the embassy via email at consular.tyo@kln.gov.my or mwtokyo@kln.gov.my.
