Typhoon Shanshan Strikes Southern Japan, Nearly 4 Million Urged to Evacuate

Tokyo: Nearly 4 million residents in southern Japan have been urged to evacuate as Typhoon Shanshan struck on Thursday, unleashing hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and perilous storm surges on Kyushu island, leaving many without power.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has released an unusual emergency warning, forecasting severe flooding and landslides throughout Kyushu, the southernmost main island, with expected record-breaking rainfall. The storm’s slow movement raised alarm, prompting authorities to issue their highest typhoon alert and a Level 4 evacuation advisory for all of Kyushu, affecting approximately 3.7 million people.

As of Thursday morning, one person is reported missing, and dozens have sustained injuries. Earlier this week, three individuals lost their lives in a landslide triggered by the storm’s fierce winds and rain.

Typhoon Shanshan has weakened, now classified as a Category 1 Atlantic hurricane equivalent, as it drifts north through Kyushu with maximum wind speeds of 185 kph (115 mph). The storm center is approximately 150 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Sasebo. Video footage from Miyazaki, where the storm made landfall, shows downed power lines and streets littered with debris.

Even areas farther from the storm have been impacted by its persistent heavy rainfall bands. In Aichi prefecture, a landslide tragically buried a family of five, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including a couple in their 70s. Fortunately, two women in their 40s survived, although one is severely injured.

Despite its weakening status, Shanshan continues to move slowly at 10 kph (7 mph), dumping heavy rain on the island. Already, many regions have experienced over 0.5 meters (20 inches) of rainfall, with isolated hilly areas potentially receiving up to 1 meter (40 inches).

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, confirmed the expectation of “record-breaking rainfall” and emphasized ongoing efforts to assess damage and coordinate emergency responses. The storm has led to the cancellation of over 700 flights, and major highways across Kyushu have been closed. Bullet train services, including the Kyushu Shinkansen, have also been suspended.

As of Thursday morning, more than 255,150 households in Kyushu were without electricity, according to Kyushu Electric Power. Major automakers, including Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan, have halted operations at their factories in the storm’s path.

Typhoon Shanshan is projected to move eastward, diminishing to a tropical storm by day’s end. It will slowly traverse Japan’s southwestern regions, impacting central areas throughout the weekend and into early next week, albeit as a notably weakened system. The main threat for the rest of Japan continues to be substantial rainfall, with some regions in Shikoku and Honshu anticipating over 0.5 meters (20 inches) of precipitation.