Asian Games Weather Threat: From torrential rain to typhoon threat: Asian Games face turbulent start in Aichi-Nagoya | Asian Games 2026 News
The Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya are facing an early weather threat, with organisers bracing for possible disruption from a tropical storm that could strengthen into a typhoon and approach central Japan just as the continental multi-sport event gets into full swing.The 20th Asian Games officially open with the opening ceremony in Nagoya on Saturday, but several competitions have already begun, including football, basketball, volleyball and cricket. The Games are scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4, with 43 sports on the programme.Tropical Storm Dujuan was located off Japan’s Pacific coast early Thursday and was moving northwest towards central Japan, where Nagoya is located. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 90 kmph, with gusts reaching 126 kmph. Forecasts were raising the possibility of the system approaching the Aichi-Nagoya region around Monday.
Heavy rain has already disrupted Games
The weather threat comes after torrential rain battered Nagoya and surrounding areas last week, disrupting transport and forcing several hundred athletes to evacuate their accommodation.Kosei Inoue, Japan’s chef de mission for the Games and a senior executive board member of the Japanese Olympic Committee, acknowledged the possibility of further disruption at a news conference on Thursday.“Due to the heavy rain and severe weather, some competitions have already experienced delays or postponements, and there is also a possibility that a typhoon could approach on September 21,” Inoue said.“Under these circumstances, we are holding thorough meetings within the JOC to ensure that we are fully prepared and capable of responding appropriately to these situations.”The possibility of another major weather system adds to the logistical challenge facing organisers, who are already managing an unusually large Games involving around 17,000 athletes and officials.ALSO READ: Five little-known sports India will compete in at Asian Games 2026
China’s cricket campaign ends without a ball
The impact of the weather was already evident in the women’s cricket competition on Thursday. Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals after their quarter-final against China was abandoned because of a wet outfield at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, with the match called off without even a toss taking place.Bangladesh, ranked 10th in the ICC women’s T20I rankings, progressed over China, who are ranked 36th, under the competition’s washout provisions. Bangladesh will face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between defending champions India and Japan in the semi-finals on September 20.The abandoned cricket match was an early reminder of how vulnerable outdoor events can be to weather conditions during the Games. With the possibility of a typhoon approaching the region on September 21, organisers now face the prospect of managing further disruptions just as the Asian Games move into their opening week.
