Japan’s capital, Tokyo, has recorded 34 consecutive days of rain, marking the longest rainy streak since weather records began in 1886, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on Tuesday.
The unusually prolonged wet weather has brought frequent heavy downpours and flooding to Tokyo and surrounding areas. The city’s rainy season normally occurs in June, but rainfall has continued throughout the summer.
According to JMA officials, the weather pattern has been influenced partly by the El Niño phenomenon, which can alter wind patterns, air pressure and cloud formations and contribute to heavy rainfall in some regions.
JMA official Masayuki Kyoda said autumn rain fronts had remained over the region longer than usual, partly because a high-pressure system over the Pacific had also persisted longer than normal.
Kyoda noted that the 34-day rainy spell could not be directly attributed to climate change. However, a JMA report published last year found that global warming was having long-term effects on Japan’s weather, including increased precipitation.
The previous record for consecutive rainy days in Tokyo was 33 days, recorded between June 27 and July 29, 2019.
Meanwhile, central Tokyo received about 629 millimetres (24.8 inches) of rainfall from the beginning of September through Monday, nearly three times the normal amount for the month. The figure is approaching the September record of 670.9 millimetres, set in 1958.
The heavy rainfall comes as neighbouring parts of Asia also face severe flooding. In Thailand, about 1.7 million people have been affected by recent floods, while 23 people have reportedly died since mid-September following an intense weather system.
Tags
World News