Eight dead as Japan counts cost of downpours

At least eight people have died after unprecedented downpours in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. Rain pounded the area from Thursday evening into Friday. Authorities issued the maximum Level 5 Emergency Warning for heavy rain in 22 cities and towns across the prefecture.

In just half a day, Chiba City saw more than three times as much rainfall as the average for the whole of August. Authorities say the death toll includes people who were in their vehicles. Prefectural officials say flooding has affected at least 170 homes, and at least one house has been destroyed.