Typhoon Shanshan, one of the worst storms in decades, is battering Japan’s southwest region, prompting its highest alarm for over five million residents. The typhoon hit Kagoshima prefecture on Kyushu island, bringing torrential rain, 252 km/h gusts, and widespread disruption.
As Shanshan devastated Tokushima prefecture, at least four people were killed, including an elderly man trapped under a fallen roof, and over 90 were injured. The typhoon, now a tropical storm, destroyed trees, broke windows, and left hundreds of thousands without power.
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a rare “special warning,” encouraging inhabitants to act immediately to save lives. Fears of landslides, flooding, and large-scale destruction prompted Kyushu and central Japan evacuation orders.
Major companies like Toyota and Nissan have shut down operations to protect workers during the storm. As Shanshan advances northeast, hundreds of flights have been cancelled and high-speed train services delayed, affecting Tokyo by the weekend.
Typhoons like Shanshan are growing more frequent and strong due to climate change, which brings storms closer to coastlines and lasts longer. As Japan prepares for the storm’s continued onslaught, safety and damage reduction remain top priorities.
Image Credit: https://www.yahoo.com/news/japan-typhoon-shanshan-live-updates-144333644.html
