Japan has issued its highest “special warning” for Typhoon Shanshan, urging thousands to evacuate as the powerful storm approaches the southern island of Kyushu. Authorities have advised 56,000 people to seek shelter as the typhoon, expected to make landfall by Thursday, brings extreme weather conditions to the region.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that Typhoon Shanshan is poised to hit Kyushu with unprecedented force. “It is expected that violent winds, high waves, and storm surges at levels that many people have never experienced before may occur,” Hayashi warned. The storm is packing gusts of up to 252 kilometers per hour (157 miles per hour) and has already brought heavy rain to the area.
In preparation for the typhoon, auto giant Toyota has halted production at all 14 of its factories in Japan. The storm’s impact has been felt widely, with severe weather causing significant disruptions across the region.
In Gamagori, Aichi prefecture, a landslide triggered by the storm has buried a house, leaving two people unaccounted for. Rescuers managed to pull a woman in her 70s from the rubble, but efforts continue to find a man in his 70s and another in his 30s.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) forecasts up to 1,100 millimeters (43 inches) of precipitation over the next 48 hours in southern Kyushu, approximately half the region’s annual average. Video footage from public broadcaster NHK TV has shown severe damage, including blown-off roof tiles, broken windows, and uprooted trees. Residents described the intensity of the storm as overwhelming, with some initially mistaking the strong shaking for an earthquake.
In response to the storm, Japan Airlines has canceled 172 domestic flights and six international flights scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. All Nippon Airways (ANA) has also scrapped 219 domestic flights and four international flights. These cancellations are expected to impact around 25,000 travelers. Additionally, Kyushu Railway has suspended some Shinkansen bullet train services and warned of further possible disruptions.
Typhoon Shanshan follows Typhoon Ampil, which caused significant flight and train disruptions earlier this month. Despite its heavy rainfall, Ampil resulted in only minor injuries and damage. The increased frequency and intensity of typhoons in the region, linked to climate change, have raised concerns about future storms.
Sources By Agencies
