Hurricane Tracker Follows Typhoon Dujuan as It Batters Japan With 194 km/h Gusts
Hurricane tracker reports show Typhoon Dujuan battering parts of Japan with strong winds and heavy rain, prompting evacuation orders for nearly two million people, widespread flight cancellations, power outages, and the early closure of the Tokyo Game Show. Almost two million people are under evacuation orders across Japanese prefectures as the typhoon approaches, with a continuing danger-to-life warning in Oshima Town. [3]
Typhoon Dujuan Strikes Japan
The storm has sustained winds of 130-144 km/h and gusts up to 194 km/h, causing power cuts for more than 50,000 people, over 4,000 households in Chiba alone, and leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and rail services. [3][4] The typhoon's wind speeds were at 144 km per hour as the storm was approximately 110 km from Hachijojima, one of Tokyo's farthest islands. [4] The typhoon is continuing to travel along the country's Pacific coast, heading north. [3] Strong winds caused power cuts for more than 50,000 people, while hundreds of flights have been cancelled and rail services have been suspended. [3] Japan Airlines cancelled 120 domestic and 15 international flights, while All Nippon Airways cancelled 140 domestic flights. [4] Railway operators in Tokyo and neighboring regions suspended services on some lines. [4] The extent of the damage today may not be known until Tuesday. [3]
Warnings and Rainfall Risks
Typhoon Dujuan brings strong winds and heavy rain to Japan, forcing early closure of Tokyo Game Show and grounding flights. — Source: vnexpress
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of potentially record-breaking rainfall that could exceed the average monthly total for September, with level three and level four warnings for heavy rain and landslides issued or partially downgraded. [3][4] The Japan Meteorological Agency had warned of an imminent threat to life, but several warnings have now been downgraded, with the danger to life warning remaining in place in Oshima Town. [3] The level three warnings, for heavy rain, and the level four warnings, for landslides have now been either downgraded or lifted by the Japan Meteorological Agency in most areas. [3] The level four warnings remain in Shinagawa Ward, Toshima Village, and Niijima Village. [3] The Japan Meteorological Agency warned on Sunday that rain and winds were expected to intensify even before the typhoon's arrival. [4] The total rainfall through Tuesday could exceed the average monthly rainfall for September, resulting in record-breaking heavy rain. [4] Authorities have advised the public to pay attention to weather information. [3] On Monday, more than 4,000 households in Chiba, next to Tokyo, were without power, while the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities warned residents of heavy rain and possible landslides. [4]
Event Cancellations and Holiday Disruptions
Dujuan, Japan's 25th typhoon of the year, has disrupted a five-day holiday period, cancelling events including the final day of the Tokyo Game Show, a major music festival, and a baseball match. [3][4] Concerts scheduled for Monday at the Rock in Japan music festival have been cancelled, while the Tokyo Game Show, a video game convention, has also cancelled Monday's programme. [3] Typhoon Dujuan forced the cancellation of at least 275 flights in Japan on Monday and prompted warnings of potentially record-breaking rainfall as the storm nears Tokyo. [4] A major outdoor music festival and a baseball match both scheduled to be held in Chiba were also cancelled. [4] Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reportedly delayed her trip to the United States this week to monitor the effects of the typhoon. [3] She had been due in New York on Tuesday to meet with US President Donald Trump and speak at the UN General Assembly. [3] The typhoon, which is accompanied by high winds, has also led to the early closure in the capital of one of the world's biggest video game trade fairs and knocked out power for thousands. [4] Tokyo Game Show, one of the world's biggest video game trade fairs which kicked off on Thursday, was called off on Monday, its final day. [4]
Rescue Operations and Casualty Reports
Rescue operations are underway after incidents including a woman in her 60s feared buried alive in a landslide in Yokosuka and a man in his 50s rescued after being trapped by debris in Chiba. [3] The Yokosuka City Fire Department told the BBC that a woman who lived in the house, aged in her 60s, may have been swept away and is believed to have been buried alive. [3] Separately, Sodegaura City Fire Department in Chiba prefecture told the BBC a man in his 50s was rescued after getting trapped while working to clear debris at a landslide site. [3] The department said the worker fell into a bamboo thicket, along with some heavy machinery. [3] He was then taken to hospital. [3] Firefighters in Kanagawa prefecture said they received a call from a man who reported his house had been crushed by a landslide. [3]
El Niño and Climate Context
It is linked to a super El Niño that has intensified Pacific storms. [3] It is the latest in a series of storms in the Pacific, made more intense by the super El Niño, which has warmed the ocean, fuelling the formation of storms. [3] Some research suggests that Japan has become more exposed to destructive storms, but climate change is not thought to be increasing the number of these storms globally, and could even make them less common in some regions. [3] As temperatures rise, typhoons that do form are likely to become more intense on average, however. [3] Warmer ocean waters mean storms can pick up more energy, leading to higher wind speeds. [3] And because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, these storms could also bring heavier rainfall. [3] This year, El Niño is another factor. [3] El Niño doesn't have a clear effect on the total number of typhoons, but it can affect where typhoons form, their strength and which countries they hit. [3] Some El Niño events may expose Japan to stronger typhoons, for example. [3]
What to watch next: The typhoon is continuing to travel along the country's Pacific coast, heading north, and the extent of the damage today may not be known until Tuesday.
