Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that have left three people dead, more than 80 injured, and one missing.
Landslide Tragedy in Aichi Prefecture
On Tuesday night, warm, moist air from the typhoon caused a devastating landslide in Gamagori city, located in the central prefecture of Aichi. The landslide resulted in the deaths of three people and injured two others, according to local media reports.
Widespread Injuries and Missing Person
As of 5:50 p.m. local time on Thursday, the powerful storm had injured 79 people in the prefectures of Miyazaki and Kagoshima and one person in Mie Prefecture. In a separate incident, a man in his 60s fell overboard while seeking refuge near Kagoshima and remains missing.
Disruption to Services and Infrastructure
After making landfall around 8 a.m. local time, Typhoon Shanshan weakened but continued to disrupt communication services and caused widespread power and water outages. The storm led to the suspension of train services on the Kyushu Shinkansen, parts of the Sanyo and Tokaido Shinkansen, and caused numerous flight cancellations.
The typhoon also significantly impacted logistics and delivery services, with more than 50 supermarkets and over 900 convenience stores temporarily closed in Kagoshima and Miyazaki.
Government Response and Warnings
On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida convened a cabinet meeting, urging citizens to remain vigilant against potential hazards such as heavy rainfall, landslides, and river flooding.
Ongoing Threat
Typhoon Shanshan is expected to move slowly eastward starting Friday, potentially causing further disruptions. Authorities have advised the public to stay alert for severe weather conditions, including heavy rain.
Residents in affected areas are urged to monitor updates from local authorities and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
