Typhoon Shanshan Strikes: Devastation and High Alert Across Japan

Typhoon Shanshan has caused significant damage in Japan, particularly in the southern regions. As of the latest reports, the storm has resulted in at least six deaths and over 80 injuries. The typhoon, one of the strongest to hit Japan in decades, brought gusts of up to 252 km/h (157 mph) and caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for more than five million people across affected areas.

Significant damage has been reported in cities like Miyazaki, where nearly 200 buildings were damaged, and power outages affected over 187,000 homes. Transportation has been heavily disrupted, with many flights canceled and rail services halted due to the storm. Although Typhoon Shanshan has weakened to a tropical storm, it continues to bring heavy rains and pose a risk of further flooding and landslides as it moves through Japan​ All Hands and Hearts  and SpaceDaily   and CNA

Japan is currently grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Shanshan, one of the strongest typhoons to strike the nation in recent decades, prompting the highest level of alert for over five million people. The severe weather event resulted in at least four deaths and injured more than 90 individuals.

One of the strongest typhoons in decades to hit Japan has left at least five people dead and injured dozens, local media report.

Authorities warned millions to seek higher ground due to possible flooding and landslideshttps://t.co/8rtJw066ly pic.twitter.com/diBZLnG5HE

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 30, 2024

The typhoon, which initially made landfall in Kagoshima prefecture on Kyushu Island, has since diminished to a severe tropical storm as it moves northeast, causing widespread damage, including power outages affecting hundreds of thousands. Authorities issued a level five alert in parts of Kyushu, urging residents to either relocate to safer areas or seek shelter within their homes to evade life-threatening conditions.

The devastation includes significant property damage, with many buildings suffering structural impairments and shattered windows due to flying debris. Additionally, the storm has uprooted trees and overturned vehicles. Prior to Shanshan’s arrival, a landslide triggered by the severe weather conditions claimed the lives of three family members in central Japan, while another elderly individual died due to a structural collapse in Tokushima prefecture.

🇯🇵 ☔ Typhoon #Shanshan slammed into #Japan Thursday, injuring dozens as howling #winds smashed windows and blew tiles off houses while torrential #rains sparked #floods and #landslide warnings.

FRANCE 24 has the details ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jTn0oDaqem

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) August 29, 2024

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued special warnings, anticipating landslides, flooding, and extensive damage as the storm continues to unleash heavy rainfall and exceptionally high winds, reaching speeds up to 252 km/h (157 mph). This alert follows the pattern of increasingly severe weather phenomena in the region, which scientists attribute to climate change, noting a trend towards storms that intensify more quickly and linger longer over land.

‼️ Typhoon Shanshan pummels Japan. 5.2 Million people are told to evacuate. Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and semiconductor firms halt production. More than 200,000 households without power. At least three people have been killed so far and scores injured in what authorities have warned… pic.twitter.com/KIVG2vfpO6

— SputnikSpreader (@VasBroughtToX) August 29, 2024

As Shanshan advances, significant disruptions to transport have been reported, with numerous flight cancellations and suspended train services. Major manufacturers like Toyota and Nissan have temporarily halted operations, citing employee safety and potential disruptions in supply chains. The JMA predicts that the storm will persist over the weekend, eventually impacting the capital, Tokyo. This event marks a continuation of a particularly active typhoon season, which has seen several such storms, including Typhoon Ampil earlier in the month, affecting Japan with varying degrees of severity.

Major Points:

• Typhoon Shanshan, one of the strongest typhoons in decades, prompted a level five alert and affected over five million people in Japan, leading to at least four deaths and over 90 injuries.
• The typhoon caused widespread power outages, significant structural damage to buildings, uprooted trees, and overturned cars as it moved across the region.
• Authorities issued the highest level of alert, urging residents in affected areas to seek immediate shelter or relocate to safer locations to protect against life-threatening conditions.
• The storm led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and the suspension of train services, with major companies like Toyota and Nissan shutting down production due to safety concerns and potential supply chain disruptions.
• The Japan Meteorological Agency notes an increasing trend of typhoons forming closer to coastlines, intensifying rapidly, and lasting longer over land, attributing these changes to climate change.

RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News