Typhoon Shanshan strikes southern Japan, leaving three dead

Typhoon Shanshan hit southern Japan, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain. The storm caused widespread damage, leading to the tragic loss of three lives. Emergency services are on high alert as the region faces flooding, power outages, and disrupted transportation. Authorities urge residents to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines as recovery efforts begin amidst challenging conditions.

A powerful typhoon has struck Japan, with three fatalities already confirmed.

Shanshan made landfall in Kagoshima prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu at around 08:00 local time (23:00 GMT), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The JMA has issued a rare "special warning" for severe storms, cautioning against landslides, flooding, and significant damage. Winds reaching up to 252 km/h (157mph) have been reported on the island.

A couple in their 70s and a man in his 30s have lost their lives. They were part of a family of five whose home in Gamagori, central Japan, was washed away late on Tuesday, before the typhoon's landfall.Two other family members, both women in their 40s, were rescued after an overnight recovery operation, as reported by local broadcaster NHK. Up to 600mm of rain is expected in parts of Kyushu, which has a population of 12.5 million people.Approximately 255,000 homes are now without electricity, according to the island's utility provider.Online videos show large trees swaying, roof tiles being blown off, and debris flying through the air as heavy rains batter the island.

At least 39 people have been injured in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, according to NHK. Major automakers like Toyota and Nissan closed their plants on Thursday, citing employee safety concerns and potential parts shortages due to the storm.

Hundreds of flights to and from southern Japan have been cancelled, and some high-speed train services have been suspended. Earlier this week, local governments issued evacuation advisories to 810,000 residents in the central Shizuoka prefecture on Japan's main island, Honshu. An additional 56,000 people were advised to evacuate their homes in Kagoshima on Kyushu, as reported by the fire and disaster management agency. The JMA anticipates that the storm will approach Japan's central and eastern regions, including Tokyo, over the weekend.

Special typhoon warnings, such as the one for Shanshan, are issued in Japan for exceptionally powerful storms. A similar warning was given in September 2022 as Typhoon Nanmadol approached Kyushu, marking the first time such a warning was issued for a region outside Okinawa. Shanshan follows Typhoon Ampil earlier this month, which caused only minor injuries and damage but still disrupted numerous flights and trains. Before that, northern Japan experienced record rainfall when Tropical Storm Maria hit Honshu island. A study released last month suggests that typhoons in the region are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more quickly, and lingering longer over land due to climate change.

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Source: bbc‍