Japan declares emergency as formidable Typhoon Shanshan approaches
Japan has issued an emergency warning as Typhoon Shanshan approaches, prompting preparations for potential severe weather. Authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions as the powerful storm is expected to cause disruptions and hazards across affected areas.
TroibNews 
On Wednesday, southwestern Japan prepared for the arrival of Typhoon Shanshan, anticipated to be among the most powerful storms the region has faced. Orders for evacuation were issued to residents in its expected path, and major corporations, including Toyota, shuttered their manufacturing plants.
The storm, labeled as "very strong," is moving towards the island of Kyushu, packing winds that could reach up to 252 kilometers per hour (157 mph). Due to these conditions, transport services, including airlines and railways, announced cancellations stretching into the coming days.
The national weather authority has issued an emergency alert, warning of potential severe impacts such as floods, landslides, and destructive winds significant enough to destroy homes.
"Maximum caution is required given that forecasts are for strong winds, high waves and high tides that have not been seen thus far," stated Satoshi Sugimoto, the top forecaster at the meteorological agency, during a press briefing.
Upon impacting Kyushu in the following days, the typhoon is expected to make its way toward the central and eastern regions of Japan, encompassing the capital city of Tokyo, by the weekend.
More than 800,000 people have been directed to evacuate across several prefectures including Kagoshima in southern Kyushu and Aichi and Shizuoka in central Japan.
In the Aichi region, where Toyota is headquartered, a landslide believed to have caused the collapse of a residential building left two individuals missing. NHK, the national broadcaster, reported that three individuals from the affected home were rescued.
Following the recent Typhoon Ampil, which also prompted evacuations and power outages, Typhoon Shanshan adds to Japan's severe weather challenges.
Flight disruptions include over 210 domestic flights scheduled by ANA Holdings from Wednesday to Friday, impacting around 18,400 passengers. Japan Airlines also announced the cancellation of 170 domestic flights through Thursday, with a further suspension of 10 international flights by the two carriers.
(Cover: This handout photo taken and released by Gamagori City Hall on August 28, 2024, captures rescue personnel at a landslide-impacted house in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. /CFP)
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
The storm, labeled as "very strong," is moving towards the island of Kyushu, packing winds that could reach up to 252 kilometers per hour (157 mph). Due to these conditions, transport services, including airlines and railways, announced cancellations stretching into the coming days.
The national weather authority has issued an emergency alert, warning of potential severe impacts such as floods, landslides, and destructive winds significant enough to destroy homes.
"Maximum caution is required given that forecasts are for strong winds, high waves and high tides that have not been seen thus far," stated Satoshi Sugimoto, the top forecaster at the meteorological agency, during a press briefing.
Upon impacting Kyushu in the following days, the typhoon is expected to make its way toward the central and eastern regions of Japan, encompassing the capital city of Tokyo, by the weekend.
More than 800,000 people have been directed to evacuate across several prefectures including Kagoshima in southern Kyushu and Aichi and Shizuoka in central Japan.
In the Aichi region, where Toyota is headquartered, a landslide believed to have caused the collapse of a residential building left two individuals missing. NHK, the national broadcaster, reported that three individuals from the affected home were rescued.
Following the recent Typhoon Ampil, which also prompted evacuations and power outages, Typhoon Shanshan adds to Japan's severe weather challenges.
Flight disruptions include over 210 domestic flights scheduled by ANA Holdings from Wednesday to Friday, impacting around 18,400 passengers. Japan Airlines also announced the cancellation of 170 domestic flights through Thursday, with a further suspension of 10 international flights by the two carriers.
(Cover: This handout photo taken and released by Gamagori City Hall on August 28, 2024, captures rescue personnel at a landslide-impacted house in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. /CFP)
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
