Heavy Rain Affects Asian Games Preparations in Nagoya, Japan
By AFP and The Associated Press
Published On 9 Sep 2026
Hundreds of athletes for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, faced evacuations due to record rainfall that led to flooding in the city. Approximately 104mm (4 inches) of rain fell within an hour, prompting city officials to issue evacuation orders in affected areas.
The Games are set to start on Thursday, but water damage was reported in multiple competition venues, raising concerns as more rain is forecasted in the coming days. Scientists have attributed the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather events to climate change.
This year’s Asian Games is unique in that it does not feature a dedicated athletes’ village; accommodations include a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers, and local hotels. Following the heavy rain, hundreds of athletes staying in the Garden Pier area, where container huts are located, were temporarily moved to higher ground for safety.
Nagoya’s Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa assured the public that the athletes were unharmed, stating, “We are not worried about the conditions of the venues, and we believe there is no problem holding the Asian Games as planned.” He confirmed that while there were some leaking roofs at competition venues, the overall impact was manageable.
With the opening ceremony scheduled for September 19, several events, including basketball, will kick off sooner. Hirosawa mentioned, “Rainwater leaking from roofs is a limited impact, and it’s not serious enough to jeopardize the Opening Day.”
More than 17,000 athletes and officials are expected at the Games, outnumbering the participants of the Olympics. In response to the rainfall, local transit services were suspended, while emergency shelters were established for about 3,500 evacuees.
As preparations continue, officials remain optimistic that the Games will proceed as scheduled despite the weather challenges.
