Emergency warning issued by Japan as Typhoon Shanshan approaches
Typhoon Shanshan struck Japan's primary southern island of Kyushu early Thursday, prompting authorities to advise thousands to evacuate and to issue the highest level of warning for wind and storm surges.
TroibNews 
Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, early Thursday. Thousands were advised to evacuate as the highest warning levels for winds and storm surges were issued.
On the eve of the storm, southwestern Japan was on high alert, anticipating one of the strongest typhoons to impact the area. Evacuation orders were in place, and major corporations, including Toyota, shut down operations.
Transport services were disrupted, with both airlines and railways canceling trips in anticipation of the severe weather, described as "very strong."
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an emergency warning for storms and high waves specifically for Kagoshima Prefecture, with the exception of the Amami area.
Additionally, an urgent warning for storm surges was declared for Kagoshima's Satsuma region.
The utility company in Kyushu reported that power was cut to 254,610 households.
"Special warnings of violent storms, high waves and high tides are being issued to the Kagoshima region (of Kyuhsu)," stated the Japan Meteorological Office.
"Please exercise maximum vigilance against violent storms, high waves and high tides in Kagoshima, as well as landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and overflowing rivers in southern Kyushu," the agency recommended.
"Please also be advised that the risk of a disaster due to heavy rain can rapidly escalate in western Japan as Friday approaches."
Shanshan has been inflicting heavy rainfall across many areas of Japan since Tuesday.
In central Japan, three family members lost their lives when their home in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, was engulfed by a landslide. The incident was reported early Thursday by Kyodo news, referencing local officials.
Forecasters at JMA have estimated up to 1,100 mm of rain could fall over southern Kyushu within the 48-hour period ending Friday morning.
Japan Airlines has cancelled 172 domestic and six international flights scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Similarly, ANA annulled 219 domestic flights and four international ones spanning Wednesday to Friday.
Approximately 25,000 passengers were affected by these cancellations.
Kyushu Railway announced a suspension in some of its high-speed Shinkansen train services between Kumamoto and Kagoshima Chuo from Wednesday evening and issued a caution about potential further disruptions.
This typhoon follows closely behind Typhoon Ampil, which earlier this month had caused significant travel disruptions but only minor injuries and damage.
Previously, Tropical Storm Maria had set precipitation records in the northern regions.
Recent studies suggest typhoons in the area are now forming closer to coastlines, intensifying quicker and persisting longer over land, changes attributed to climate change.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
On the eve of the storm, southwestern Japan was on high alert, anticipating one of the strongest typhoons to impact the area. Evacuation orders were in place, and major corporations, including Toyota, shut down operations.
Transport services were disrupted, with both airlines and railways canceling trips in anticipation of the severe weather, described as "very strong."
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an emergency warning for storms and high waves specifically for Kagoshima Prefecture, with the exception of the Amami area.
Additionally, an urgent warning for storm surges was declared for Kagoshima's Satsuma region.
The utility company in Kyushu reported that power was cut to 254,610 households.
"Special warnings of violent storms, high waves and high tides are being issued to the Kagoshima region (of Kyuhsu)," stated the Japan Meteorological Office.
"Please exercise maximum vigilance against violent storms, high waves and high tides in Kagoshima, as well as landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and overflowing rivers in southern Kyushu," the agency recommended.
"Please also be advised that the risk of a disaster due to heavy rain can rapidly escalate in western Japan as Friday approaches."
Shanshan has been inflicting heavy rainfall across many areas of Japan since Tuesday.
In central Japan, three family members lost their lives when their home in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, was engulfed by a landslide. The incident was reported early Thursday by Kyodo news, referencing local officials.
Forecasters at JMA have estimated up to 1,100 mm of rain could fall over southern Kyushu within the 48-hour period ending Friday morning.
Japan Airlines has cancelled 172 domestic and six international flights scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Similarly, ANA annulled 219 domestic flights and four international ones spanning Wednesday to Friday.
Approximately 25,000 passengers were affected by these cancellations.
Kyushu Railway announced a suspension in some of its high-speed Shinkansen train services between Kumamoto and Kagoshima Chuo from Wednesday evening and issued a caution about potential further disruptions.
This typhoon follows closely behind Typhoon Ampil, which earlier this month had caused significant travel disruptions but only minor injuries and damage.
Previously, Tropical Storm Maria had set precipitation records in the northern regions.
Recent studies suggest typhoons in the area are now forming closer to coastlines, intensifying quicker and persisting longer over land, changes attributed to climate change.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
