Typhoon Shanshan Causes Widespread Devastation in Southern Japan

Almost 4 million people in southern Japan have been urged to evacuate as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on August 29, 2024. The powerful storm left thousands of residents without power and struck Kyushu Island with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and dangerous storm surges.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a rare emergency warning for the slow-moving storm, stating that it was expected to cause damaging flooding and landslides across most of Kyushu, the country’s southernmost main island, with record rainfall anticipated.

As a precaution, hundreds of flights have been canceled, bullet train services have been suspended, and major companies, including Toyota, have closed factories in affected regions.

The Japanese authorities have declared a “life-threatening situation” in towns of Oita prefecture and urged 57,000 individuals to take immediate “life-saving actions”. A Level 4 evacuation advisory is in effect for all of Kyushu, impacting approximately 3.7 million residents.

As of Thursday morning, local government offices reported that at least one individual is missing, and dozens have sustained injuries across the island. Earlier in the week, three individuals tragically lost their lives due to a landslide instigated by the destructive winds and rain associated with Typhoon Shanshan.

Although the storm has weakened to a Category 1 equivalent hurricane, it continues to move slowly, dumping large amounts of rain on the island at a speed of 10 kph (7 mph). Areas far from the typhoon’s center have also been impacted by its heavy rain bands.

In central Aichi prefecture, a family of five became victims of a landslide that demolished their home. The incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including a couple in their 70s. Fortunately, two women who were in their 40s were rescued from the debris, though one suffered serious injuries.

Rainfall has already exceeded 0.5 meters (20 inches) in many locations, with forecasts suggesting potential totals could reach 1 meter (40 inches) in some isolated and hilly regions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned of a catastrophic situation as the storm continues to pour unprecedented rain.

As of Thursday morning, more than 255,150 households in Kyushu are without power, as confirmed by Kyushu Electric Power. Automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan, have suspended operations at factories within the storm’s path.

Although Shanshan is expected to move toward the east and weaken to a tropical storm by the day’s end, heavy rainfall threats will remain prevalent across the rest of Japan, with warnings issued for areas in Shikoku and Honshu where rainfall may surpass 0.5 meters (20 inches).