Japan on High Alert as Typhoons Approach
The nation’s weather agency is closely monitoring two typhoons, Higos and Mekkhala, with concerns that Typhoon Higos could make landfall over the weekend. The agency also voiced apprehension regarding Typhoon Mekkhala, which was approaching the Amami region in Kagoshima prefecture on Friday. There is a possibility that Mekkhala could then shift its course towards the Kanto region on Saturday.
While both storms are anticipated to weaken into extratropical cyclones once they draw nearer to land, the public is strongly advised to remain vigilant for potential landslides and flooding. The severity of the rainfall has already prompted significant precautionary measures.
Widespread Evacuations Underway
As of Friday morning, reports indicate that over 2 million individuals across 13 prefectures in the Kinki and Kyushu regions were under evacuation orders. These directives were issued in response to the heavy rainfall impacting these areas. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed these numbers.
In Seika, Kyoto prefecture, a critical Level 5 emergency safety alert was declared for certain sections of the town following a morning landslide. This highlights the immediate dangers posed by the current weather conditions.
Record Rainfall Recorded in Several Prefectures
The weather agency has documented substantial rainfall amounts in multiple locations. Between Tuesday and Friday morning, Goto in Nagasaki prefecture recorded a total of 600 millimeters of rain. Similarly, Aso in Kumamoto prefecture and Ureshino in Saga prefecture each experienced over 500 millimeters of precipitation during the same period.
Storm Warnings Issued for Key Regions
Forecasters are warning of the potential for severe storms across Okinawa prefecture and eastern Japan. As Typhoon Higos progresses northward off the country’s southern coast, rainfall is expected to intensify significantly in the Tokai and Kanto regions. This heavy precipitation is projected to persist through Saturday.
Projections indicate up to 300 millimeters of rain could fall in the Tokai region by midday Saturday. The Kanto-Koshin region is forecast to receive up to 150 millimeters of rainfall.
Typhoon Mekkhala’s Trajectory
As of Friday at 11 am, Typhoon Mekkhala was moving in a northeasterly direction at approximately 15 kilometers per hour. The storm was observed off the coast of Kume Island in Okinawa.
