TOKYO - Heavy rain caused by the autumn rain front continued to disrupt rail services across the Tohoku and Kanto regions on September 7, with parts of the Shonan-Shinjuku Line and other routes remaining suspended while some major Tokyo commuter lines returned to normal operations after running reduced services earlier in the day.
East Japan Railway said some sections remained suspended, including services on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line.
At JR Shinjuku Station on the morning of September 7, passengers adjusted their travel plans because of the disruption. One commuter said, "I came about one or two trains earlier than usual."
A passenger who normally uses the Shonan-Shinjuku Line said, "I didn't think the trains would be stopped. I couldn't get to Yokohama and was wondering what to do, but we also have an office in Shinjuku, so I'm going there instead."
Many lines had operated fewer trains than usual from the first services of the day because of the heavy rain, but JR East said the Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line and several other routes had already returned to normal schedules.
Earlier in the morning, JR East had reduced the number of trains on many metropolitan-area routes by about 20% to 30% as a precaution against the severe weather.
The Shonan-Shinjuku Line was among the most heavily affected routes, with disruptions continuing beyond the morning commute.
Shinkansen services were also affected in northeastern Japan.
The Yamagata Shinkansen suspended operations for the entire day between Fukushima and Shinjo on September 7.
As a result, some Tsubasa services were also canceled on both inbound and outbound sections between Tokyo and Fukushima.
By contrast, the Tokaido Shinkansen was operating normally from its first services of the day after Central Japan Railway had earlier warned that heavy rain could cause temporary suspensions and delays.
The disruption followed widespread heavy rainfall across Tohoku and Kanto caused by the autumn rain front, with rail operators continuing to adjust services according to weather and track conditions.
Source: TBS
