[Anchor]

A torrential downpour hit Nagoya, Japan, where the Asian Games are set to open in 10 days, causing rivers to overflow and flooding roads and shopping districts. The Asian Games delegation was urgently evacuated, and rain leaked through the roofs of some stadiums.

Correspondent Mun Junmo reports from Tokyo.

[Reporter]

The Ueda River flowing through Nagoya rushes violently, looking as if it could burst its banks at any moment.

This area, where rainwater pours down like a waterfall turning the path into a river, is a railway crossing.

CCTV footage captured a bridge crossing the river being completely submerged in water in an instant.

Rainwater spewed like fountains through manhole covers across various roads, and underground shopping areas were inundated before any action could be taken.

Vehicles unable to escape from flooded underpasses were also witnessed.

With public transportation halted, citizens heading home found themselves stranded, and some gave up on returning home and looked for lodging.

[Office Worker: I looked for a hotel, but they were all fully booked. I never expected Nagoya to end up like this.]

A linear precipitation band, formed by rain clouds stretching out in a long line, developed over Aichi Prefecture, where Nagoya is located, and surrounding areas yesterday evening (the 8th).

In particular, Nagoya received a record-breaking 104.5 millimeters of rain per hour between 5 p.m. yesterday, prompting "emergency safety-securing" instructions to be issued to 1.17 million people.

Athletes who arrived early in advance for the Asian Games opening on the 19th were also temporarily evacuated after an evacuation order was issued for Minato Ward, their accommodation hub.

3,500 people sought refuge at evacuation centers such as the city hall.

[Citizen Evacuated at City Hall: I tried to go back, but the subway stopped running. I plan to wait here until my family comes to pick me up.]

Leaking water was also confirmed at several Asian Games venues.

The city of Nagoya and the organizing committee are inspecting the scale of the water damage and its potential impact on the upcoming events.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasted up to 200 millimeters of additional rain in the same region until tomorrow afternoon, urging the public to prepare for disaster risks.

(Video by Han Chul-min and Moon Hyun-jin | Video Editing by Wi Won-yang | Design by Hwang Se-yeon)