Asian Games athletes evacuated as heavy rain lashes Nagoya; Mayor rules out disruption

Hundreds of athletes and officials were briefly evacuated from their accommodation in Nagoya after torrential rain battered the Japanese city ahead of the Asian Games, with the mayor ruling out any disruption to the event.

Around 400 athletes, staff and officials were moved to safety following the heavy rainfall, an Asian Games official told Reuters. They returned to their accommodation about two hours later after the evacuation order was lifted. No injuries were reported.

Nagoya recorded around 104 mm (four inches) of rain in an hour on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue an evacuation order for parts of the city. Roads were flooded, subway and bus services were temporarily suspended, and the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest flood warning for a major river in the area.


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Rainwater also entered several competition venues, while roofs at some facilities were reported to have leaked. Officials were assessing the extent of the damage.

However, Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said the situation was not severe enough to affect the Games, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4.

"Based on the current situation, I don't believe there will be any problem to hold the Asian Games," Hirosawa told reporters, adding that the Games were expected to proceed without delay.

The Asian Games opening ceremony is scheduled for September 19, although some competitions, including basketball, begin earlier.

More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected to attend the Games. Unlike previous editions, there is no dedicated athletes' village this year, with organisers using hotels, a cruise ship and temporary accommodation facilities.

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Scientists have warned that human-induced climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Japan and elsewhere.