[Anchor]

The Asian Games are set to open in nine days. However, a sudden torrential downpour pounded Nagoya, Japan, causing severe damage such as overflowing rivers and flooded roads and commercial districts. Leaks were also confirmed at stadiums that will host the Asian Games.

Reporting from Tokyo, this is Correspondent Mun Junmo.

[Reporter]

The Ueda River flowing through Nagoya rushes violently with fierce currents, looking as though it could overflow at any moment.

This area, where rainwater cascades like a waterfall and turns into a river, is a railway route.

Closed-circuit television footage captured an entire bridge crossing the river being submerged in water in an instant.

Rainwater burst through manhole covers like fountains in various parts of the road, and underground shopping malls were flooded before anyone could do anything.

Vehicles unable to escape from flooded underpasses were also witnessed.

Public transportation came to a halt, leaving citizens heading home from work stranded, with some giving up on returning home and looking for accommodations.

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

A linear rainband, formed by rain clouds stretching long in a line, developed over Aichi Prefecture, where Nagoya is located, and its surrounding areas.

In particular, Nagoya received 104.5 mm of rain per hour, the highest ever recorded, prompting an "emergency safety securing" order for 1.17 million residents.

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

3,500 people sought refuge at shelters such as city halls.

Leaks were also confirmed at several Asian Games venues.

Nagoya City and the organizing committee are inspecting the scale of the water leakage damage and its potential impact on the games.

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