Municipalities in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, which was hit by heavy rain last week, have resumed the task of removing cars that were abandoned after being submerged, as traffic volumes rose on Monday following the Obon holiday period.
According to authorities, many flooded vehicles were left at the scene by their owners after the historic downpour. The removal operation aims to clear roadways and support residents' travel needs, especially as traffic returns to busy levels after the holiday.
The prolonged heavy rain has killed at least eight people in Chiba Prefecture and paralyzed the region's transportation network. Many main roads were deeply flooded, severely hampering rescue efforts and recovery operations.
Rescue teams are still working to reach the most affected areas while implementing measures to help residents recover from disaster damage. Local government officials are urging residents to cooperate and contact authorities promptly to handle flooded vehicles, in order to avoid prolonged traffic congestion.
The cleanup of abandoned vehicles is being treated as a top priority to quickly restore traffic flow and daily life in areas affected by the flood.
