Nagoya's drainage system comes in clutch as Asian Games host beats flood

It feels like Nagoya isn’t the same city that was a few hours ago. Just 10 days before the 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to begin, Aichi-Nagoya was struck by severe flooding following record rainfall in central Japan.

Heavy rain lashed Nagoya on Tuesday, September 8, leaving several roads and residential areas under water. Public transport services, including buses and parts of the subway network, were temporarily affected, while nearly 3,500 residents were moved to emergency shelters.

But now, recent videos and pictures on social media show that the drainage system in the city has come in clutch just ahead of the Asian Games.

Images of the Nagoya station also show that things have returned to normal and there no signs of flooding in the area.

ATHLETES EVACUATED TO SAFE LOCATION

Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said approximately 400 athletes and team officials who had already arrived for the Asian Games were also shifted to safer locations as a precaution.

According to the Associated Press, some buildings also reported roof leaks. However, Hirosawa stressed that the flooding had not caused any major damage to the numerous venues earmarked for the Asian Games.

“The situation is not severe enough to jeopardise the opening of the Games on the 19th,” Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa told reporters.

“Based on the current situation, I don’t believe there will be any problem to hold the Asian Games.”

“We have not yet been able to fully assess the situation outside Nagoya City, so I cannot comment on the overall situation,” he said.

“Based on the information we have at this point, I believe that we will be able to hold the Games without delay.”

The 2026 Asian Games are due to get underway in Nagoya and neighbouring areas on September 19, with the continental sporting event set to continue until October 4.

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