- Japan experiences intense typhoon, resulting in casualties and wounds.
Ferocious Typhoon "Shanshan" has resulted in at least three fatalities in Japan, with several dozen more sustaining injuries due to relentless rain and powerful winds. In Aichi Prefecture, three individuals perished in a landslide, while two others were hurt, as reported by Japanese news outlet NHK.
Approximately 74 people experienced injuries on the southwestern main island of Kyushu. There, the season's tenth typhoon made landfall in the early hours, resulting in one man's disappearance after being swept away by fierce waves along Kagoshima Prefecture's coastline. Authorities anticipate that the typhoon will traverse the entire archipelago over the coming days.
Power interruptions in approximately 254,000 households
Numerous households in Nagasaki reported temporary loss of power, according to local media. Over 400,000 individuals in Nagasaki were prompted to evacuate as a precaution. Train services were interrupted, and numerous flights were cancelled.
The national meteorological agency cautioned the public regarding the possibility of floods and landslides due to excessive rainfall. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged his cabinet ministers to take all appropriate measures to safeguard lives given the typhoon's deliberate pace.
Toyota opted to halt all 28 production lines across its 14 domestic facilities until Friday, citing worker safety concerns and potential parts shortages as a result of the typhoon. Production at other automakers' facilities were likewise affected.
Schools in the region temporarily closed, as reported in the media. Central Japan Railway announced that it would suspend operations of the Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed train between Mishima and Nagoya in central Japan from Friday morning. This route connects Tokyo with Osaka in western Japan.
Typhoon maintains a slow northerly course
"Shanshan" persisted in its northward march. It touched down near Satsumasendai in Kagoshima from the south, advancing at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour with wind speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour, as per the agency's reports.
Up to 600 millimeters of rain was forecasted for certain areas on Kyushu within 24 hours. The typhoon's leisurely pace magnifies the risk, as intense winds and heavy rain could persist in certain areas for an extended period, officials warned.
Despite the rain continuing to fall, many people in affected areas are eager to return to their homes to assess the damage. The relentless downpour has turned the usually dry roads into muddy pools, making it challenging for emergency services to navigate and reach those in need.
