Tokyo Drenched: 35 Days of Record Rain Strain City

Tokyo has been under a constant deluge for 35 days, setting a new record for consecutive rainfall. This extended period of wet weather is primarily blamed on the combined effects of climate change and El Niño, which has established a persistent high-pressure system over the Pacific Ocean.

The relentless rain has caused significant disruptions, including a sharp rise in the prices of vegetables, particularly leafy greens, due to crop damage. The agricultural regions surrounding Tokyo have been heavily affected, with prices for items like lettuce more than doubling.

Central Tokyo has received nearly three times the normal amount of rainfall for September and early October, resulting in very limited daylight hours and an increase in physical and mental health complaints among residents. Doctors have noted symptoms such as headaches and dizziness linked to the prolonged exposure to rain, low atmospheric pressure, and high humidity.

While Tokyo's typical rainy season occurs in June, downpours have been frequent throughout the summer, leading to flooding and landslides in neighboring prefectures. Weather officials are monitoring another typhoon that is heading towards the Kanto region, where Tokyo is located.

Despite the difficulty in directly linking every instance of wet weather to climate change, a recent report from the Japan Meteorological Agency indicated that global warming is having a long-term impact on Japan's climate, including an increase in precipitation. The previous record for consecutive rain in Tokyo was 33 days in 2019.