Tokyo 37-day record streak of rain comes to an end

Climate change fuelled by fossil fuel emissions increases moisture in the atmosphere, making heavy rain more likely.

Friday's showers capped the city's longest stretch of rainy days since records began in 1886.

Eri Kawanami, an official at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), told AFP that "the longest streak of rainy days continued from August 27 to October 2, making 37 consecutive days of rain."

Since the beginning of September, Tokyo had been soaked by 696.5 millimetres (27.4 inches) of rain, more than three times the normal level, according to the JMA.

The weather globally is being shaped this year by the El Nino phenomenon, which shifts winds, air pressure and cloud patterns and can bring heavy rain to some areas and droughts elsewhere.

In Thailand, recent flooding has affected 1.7 million people after an intense weather system hit the region, leaving 23 people dead since mid-September.