Kyushu, Japan: Typhoon Shanshan struck Japan’s Kyushu Island early Thursday morning, bringing destructive winds and heavy rains that have left dozens injured and cut power to hundreds of thousands of households. The storm made landfall near Satsumasendai city with gusts reaching up to 252 km/h (157 mph), causing significant disruptions across the region.
The intense weather system has prompted widespread evacuation advisories as authorities brace for continued heavy rainfall. The Japan Meteorological Agency has forecasted up to 1,100 mm (43 inches) of rain over the next 48 hours, heightening the risk of flooding and landslides.
In Aichi Prefecture, a devastating landslide in Gamagori buried a family’s home, resulting in the deaths of three family members, with two others rescued. The city of Yufu in Oita Prefecture has been issued a Level 5 emergency warning due to severe flooding from the Miyakawa River, with similar warnings in USA due to the Yakkan River. Level 5 alerts are rare and indicate life-threatening conditions.
As the storm progresses, the Kyushu Electric Power Company reported that more than 250,000 households across seven prefectures have lost power. The typhoon’s impact has led to significant disruptions, including the suspension of production at 14 Toyota factories, and operational halts at Nissan and Honda plants in Kyushu. Additionally, Japan Airlines and ANA have canceled hundreds of domestic flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with some rail services also affected.
The typhoon’s impact is compounded by the ongoing torrential rains, which have been affecting large parts of Japan since Tuesday. In Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, at least 39 people have been reported injured, and one person remains missing, according to NHK.
The storm’s path is expected to continue through Japan’s central and eastern regions, including the capital Tokyo. Officials have issued evacuation orders for millions as they prepare for potential further impacts.
Typhoon Shanshan is the third major storm system to hit Japan this month. Recent studies have shown that typhoons in the region are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and persisting longer over land due to climate change.
Key Points:
- Typhoon Shanshan’s Impact:
- Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Kyushu Island, Japan, with winds reaching up to 252 km/h (157 mph), causing significant damage.
- Casualties and Injuries:
- Three family members died in Aichi Prefecture due to a landslide, with two others rescued. At least 39 people have been injured in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures.
- Power Outages:
- Over 250,000 households across seven prefectures are without power due to the typhoon.
- Flooding and Warnings:
- A Level 5 emergency warning has been issued for Yufu and Usa in Oita Prefecture due to severe flooding risks from the Miyakawa and Yakkan rivers.
- Disruptions:
- Toyota has suspended operations at 14 factories, while Nissan and Honda have halted production at their Kyushu plants. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and some rail services are affected.
- Future Path:
- The typhoon is expected to move through Japan’s central and eastern regions, including Tokyo, with continued heavy rainfall anticipated.
- Recent Weather Trends:
- Typhoon Shanshan is the third major storm to impact Japan this month, with increasing storm intensity linked to climate change.
