Typhoon Shanshan Strikes Southern Japan, Leaving Devastation and Casualties in Its Wake

Thursday 29 August 2024 - 10:00

A devastating typhoon, Shanshan, has struck Japan's southern island of Kyushu, resulting in at least three confirmed fatalities. The typhoon made landfall in Kagoshima prefecture around 08:00 local time (23:00 GMT), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

In response to the storm's intensity, the JMA issued a rare "special warning" for extreme weather conditions, alerting residents to the potential for landslides, flooding, and widespread damage. The typhoon brought with it winds reaching up to 252 km/h (157 mph), wreaking havoc across the island.

Among the casualties reported are a couple in their 70s and a man in his 30s, all members of a family whose residence in Gamagori, central Japan, was swept away by the storm late Tuesday, prior to Shanshan's landfall. The remaining family members, two women in their 40s, were rescued following a strenuous all-night recovery operation.

The storm has led to significant disruptions, with around 255,000 homes across the island losing power, as reported by the local utility operator. In addition, heavy rains have resulted in widespread damage, including fallen trees, damaged roofs, and airborne debris. As much as 600 mm of rain is expected in some areas of Kyushu, which is home to 12.5 million people.

The typhoon has also caused extensive operational disruptions. Major automotive manufacturers, such as Toyota and Nissan, halted their production lines on Thursday, citing safety concerns and potential parts shortages. Additionally, hundreds of flights have been canceled, and some high-speed train services have been suspended.

Earlier in the week, local authorities issued evacuation orders to approximately 810,000 residents in Shizuoka prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu. Another 56,000 people in Kagoshima were also advised to evacuate.

Looking ahead, JMA forecasts that Shanshan will approach Japan’s central and eastern regions, including Tokyo, over the weekend. The special typhoon warnings issued for Shanshan are indicative of the storm’s exceptional severity, similar to the warning given for Typhoon Nanmadol in September 2022, which was the first of its kind for a region beyond Okinawa.

This storm follows Typhoon Ampil, which, although less severe, still caused notable disruptions earlier this month. Prior to that, Tropical Storm Maria had brought record rainfall to northern Japan.

Recent studies suggest that typhoons in the region are becoming more intense, forming closer to coastlines, and lingering longer over land, trends attributed to climate change.