Nagoya’s drainage system comes into play as the Asian Games host weathers a flood

Nagoya doesn’t seem to be the same city it was a few hours ago. Just 10 days before the scheduled start of the 2026 Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya has been hit by severe flooding following record rainfall in central Japan.

Heavy rain lashed Nagoya on Tuesday, September 8and several roads and residential areas remained under water. Public transport services, including buses and part of the metro network, were temporarily affected, while nearly 3,500 residents were moved to emergency shelters.

However, recent videos and pictures on social media now show that the city’s sewage system has come under fire just ahead of the Asian Games.

Images from Nagoya Station also show that things are back to normal and there are no signs of flooding in the area.

ATHLETES EVACUATED TO A SAFE PLACE

Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said around 400 athletes and team officials who had already arrived for the Asian Games had been moved to safer places as a precaution.

Some buildings also reported roof leaks, according to the Associated Press. However, Hirosawa emphasized that the floods did not cause any major damage to many of the Asian Games venues.

“The situation is not serious enough to jeopardize the opening of the Games on the 19th,” Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa told reporters.

“Based on the current situation, I don’t believe there will be a problem in holding the Asian Games.”

“We have not yet been able to fully assess the situation outside Nagoya city, so I cannot comment on the overall situation,” he said.

“Based on the information we have at the moment, I believe we will be able to host the Games without delay.”

The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to begin in Nagoya and neighboring areas on September 19, and the continental sporting event will continue until October 4.

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Published on:

09 Sep 2026 18:58 IST