An underground car park in Japan was recently inundated, potentially causing damage to around 300 vehicles. The flooding appears to be the result of heavy rainfall, although further information is still pending regarding official confirmation and alternative causes. Efforts are underway by authorities and building management to pump out the water and assess the extent of damage.

In Japan, where space is a premium, underground parking is common. Thus, floods pose a significant problem. Despite an effective early warning system and rigorous building codes, flash floods caused by sudden heavy rain can lead to such incidents. They trigger discussions around better disaster management systems and insurances in the country, which are of great concern to the Japanese public.

In the US or EU, similar incidents of flooding tend to focus more on individual responsibilities and insurance claims in addition to citywide disaster response. There might be more emphasis on the development of weather forecasting technologies and infrastructure work to mitigate flooding.