Sudden Heavy Rain Floods Cars in Chiba, Leaving Owners With Debt
Listen to the story
Sudden and very heavy rain, often called guerrilla rain in Japan, recently hit Chiba Prefecture. The rain caused serious flooding in a short time.
Many private cars were flooded and badly damaged. Some owners could no longer drive their vehicles at all.
In Chiba city, about 200 vehicles were left on main roads after the flooding. Owners later returned to move the cars themselves.
On the 18th, officials from Chiba Prefecture and Chiba city held their first meeting of a special project team. The team will discuss how to handle vehicles left on roads during future floods.
Meanwhile, financial experts have warned about a serious problem for drivers whose cars were flooded. Many people still owe money on a car loan for a vehicle that no longer works.
If they need a new car, they may have to take out another loan. This situation is known as a double loan, where a person pays for two cars at once.
Experts say a double loan can cause serious money problems for families. They suggest people prepare in advance, before flooding happens.
One suggestion is to buy special flood insurance, or check whether a normal car insurance policy already covers flood damage. This kind of coverage can help pay for a replacement car.
The heavy rain in Chiba also caused a separate tragedy. A taxi passenger died during the storm.
After this, Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism sent a notice to taxi companies across the country. The notice asked companies to be more careful when driving in heavy rain.
Together, these events show how sudden heavy rain can create both safety risks and long-term financial trouble for ordinary people.
Vocabulary10 words
- guerrilla rain
- sudden, very heavy rain that is hard to predict
- project team
- a group of people who work together on one problem
- car loan
- money borrowed to buy a car, paid back over time
- double loan
- paying for two loans, such as two cars, at the same time
- flood insurance
- insurance that pays money if flooding damages your things
- coverage
- the protection or help an insurance plan gives you
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
- the part of the Japanese government that manages roads and transport
- notice
- an official message telling people what to do
- flooding
- when water covers land that is usually dry
- abandoned vehicle
- a car left on the road with nobody using it
Quiz
Answer key
1. How to handle vehicles left on roads after flooding 2. Paying off a flooded car's loan while also paying for a new car 3. Because a taxi passenger died during heavy rain
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Sudden and very heavy rain, often called _____ in Japan, recently hit Chiba Prefecture.
In Chiba city, about _____ vehicles were left on main roads after the flooding.
On the 18th, officials held the first meeting of a special _____ to discuss abandoned vehicles.
Many people still owe money on a _____ for a vehicle that no longer works.
This situation is known as a _____, where a person pays for two cars at once.
One suggestion is to buy special _____, or check an existing car insurance policy.
A taxi _____ died during the storm.
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism sent a _____ to taxi companies across the country.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced sudden, heavy rain like the 'guerrilla rain' described in this story?
- Why do you think a 'double loan' situation is especially stressful for families?
- Do you think flood insurance should be required for car owners in areas with heavy rain? Why or why not?
- What steps could cities take to reduce the number of vehicles left on flooded roads?