Typhoon Lan Strikes Central Japan, Claiming Two Lives and Crippling Transport Systems

Japan - Ekhbary News Agency

Typhoon Lan Strikes Central Japan, Claiming Two Lives and Crippling Transport Systems

Central Japan is grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Lan, which made landfall early Monday, resulting in at least two fatalities and widespread chaos across transportation networks and commercial operations. The powerful storm, packing winds of up to 198 kilometers per hour and a central atmospheric pressure of 950 hectopascals, struck the Shizuoka Prefecture region on the main island of Honshu around 3:00 AM local time. Local news reports indicate that Typhoon Lan, the 21st typhoon of the season, has left a devastating path, with rivers overflowing their banks and landslides burying homes.

The western region of Wakayama Prefecture bore the brunt of the rainfall, recording as much as 800 mm over a 48-hour period leading up to Sunday. According to meteorological agencies, Mie Prefecture was also severely impacted, with the storm unleashing approximately 700 mm of rain during the same timeframe. This deluge led to extensive flooding in parts of Nara Prefecture as well, inundating communities and infrastructure.

The typhoon's fury struck amidst significant national events, impacting both the political and economic spheres. In a stark illustration of the storm's disruptive power, vote counting for Japan's lower house election, held on Sunday, was postponed until Monday in areas where access to polling stations was compromised by the typhoon's destructive path. This delay adds an element of uncertainty to the political landscape as the nation awaits the final election results.

Economically, the impact is equally significant. Toyota Motor Corporation, a global automotive giant, announced the suspension of operations at its factories across multiple prefectures, including Iwate, Miyagi, and Gifu, until Monday evening. This production halt has potential ripple effects on global supply chains, underscoring the interconnectedness of modern industry and the vulnerability of manufacturing hubs to extreme weather events.

The transportation sector faced unprecedented disruption. Japan's two major airlines, Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co., were forced to cancel a combined 350 flights on Sunday and an additional 170 flights on Monday, affecting an estimated 43,000 passengers. The national rail network also suffered severe setbacks, with Shinkansen bullet train services suspended along critical sections of the Tokaido line. Furthermore, several major arterial highways were closed, paralyzing ground transportation and complicating relief efforts.

These tragic events highlight the increasing vulnerability of Japan's infrastructure to extreme weather phenomena, a growing concern for an island nation situated in a seismically active zone and prone to typhoons. Authorities issued evacuation orders in several local cities and towns as a precautionary measure to safeguard residents from the immediate dangers posed by the storm, including potential mudslides and structural collapses.

The human toll of the typhoon is deeply felt. A 63-year-old man lost his life when strong winds toppled scaffolding at a construction site in Fukuoka city, in southwestern Japan. In Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, a 70-year-old man tragically died after being forced to jump into the sea when his boat's engine failed amidst the turbulent conditions. Adding to the sorrow, local media reports confirmed a mudslide in Wakayama Prefecture that struck a house, leaving its occupant missing and feared dead.

The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that Typhoon Lan is expected to weaken and transition into an extratropical cyclone as it moves east of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture. As Japan navigates the immediate aftermath, the focus remains on rescue operations, providing aid to affected communities, and commencing the extensive task of infrastructure repair, while remaining vigilant about ongoing weather patterns.

Ekhbary News Agency