Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, is assessing damage after a sudden and severe thunderstorm swept through the region Thursday afternoon, bringing strong winds and localized flooding. While no injuries have been reported, preliminary reports indicate widespread property damage across Tsukuba City and Sakai Town.
The intense weather event, linked to a destabilizing rain front over the Kanto-Koshin region, underscores Japan’s vulnerability to rapid shifts in atmospheric conditions during the rainy season. Authorities are working to clear debris, restore access to affected areas, and determine the full extent of the damage, with a full assessment expected following inspections planned for Friday.
Tsukuba City officials have confirmed over 20 instances of storm-related damage as of Thursday evening. Among the incidents, a sliding door in a connecting corridor at a local elementary school collapsed, shattering its windowpane. A shutter at a sports facility was also reported broken,and a fire,suspected to have been ignited by lightning,broke out at an unspecified location.
The storm’s force was notably evident in Sakai Town, approximately 30 kilometers west of tsukuba, where a large crane toppled over, partially obstructing a roadway. Additionally, the first floor of a two-story prefabricated building sustained structural failure, and scaffolding surrounding a 12-story housing complex slated for demolition collapsed.
According to the local meteorological office, gusty winds accompanied the developed thunderclouds that passed over Tsukuba and Sakai. Officials will be dispatched on Friday to conduct a thorough damage assessment and investigate the meteorological factors contributing to the storm’s intensity.
