Investigating the calm inside a hurricane
In the days leading up to the typhoon, many farmers across the island harvested their crops in order to avoid damage to their agriculture. Despite this, some agricultural areas in the path of the typhoon have suffered extensive damage.
Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu, unleashing winds of up to 157 mph (252 kph). This powerful storm caused significant destruction, with homes, infrastructure, and agricultural fields severely damaged by the intense winds and torrential rains.
Substantial damage to infrastructure across Kyushu Island has been reported, including to roads, bridges, and buildings. In some cases, the typhoon has shattered windows and torn down walls as winds have ripped across Kyushu.
Major manufacturing plants (including those of Toyota, Nissan, and Honda) were forced to halt operations, which will have significant economic impact alongside the damage incurred by the storm.
Typhoon Shanshan’s powerful winds and heavy rain have also caused landslides on the island. Pictured here is a collapsed house in the city of Gamagori in the Aichi prefecture; four members of the household are missing.
Major airlines (including Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways) preemptively canceled about 800 flights. This disruption has affected tens of thousands of passengers as the storm's severity has made air travel extremely hazardous.
Thus far, the typhoon has claimed at least three lives, with many more injured around the island. Other injuries are expected to surface over the next few days as the storm travels along the island’s southern coast.
Japan has a very long history of experiencing typhoons. Indeed, the country’s location in the Northwest Pacific makes it severely susceptible to tropical storms, and it is one of the most typhoon-prone nations in the world.
Severe flooding is being reported in many parts of the island, which has only exacerbated the number of landslides across multiple regions.
Every typhoon event in Japan causes significant environmental damage, with coastal erosion, deforestation, and pollution from debris. Once the storm passes, the long-term ecological effects will become clearer.
Schools across Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and Yamaguchi prefectures were closed as a precautionary measure. The safety of students and staff was prioritized, with authorities halting educational activities until the storm passes.
Flooding caused by the typhoons often leads to water contamination. The overflow of rivers and damage to infrastructure results in the mixing of clean and contaminated water sources, although it is still unclear how extensive Typhoon Shanshan’s damage is.
The typhoon has caused widespread power outages across seven prefectures, affecting approximately 230,000 households. Power lines and infrastructure have been extensively damaged, leaving many communities without vital electricity.
Authorities issued evacuation orders to over 5.2 million people across multiple prefectures. Nearly one million residents in Miyazaki and Kagoshima were forced to flee their homes, seeking safety from the impending storm's devastating impact.
The cleanup of debris and pollutants left by the typhoon is a major undertaking. Efforts are focused on removing hazardous materials and restoring public spaces to ensure safety and to prevent further environmental damage.
The Sendai Nuclear Power Plant, located in the storm’s path, has remained unaffected by the typhoon. Safety measures have ensured that the plant can continue its operation without incident, despite the extreme weather conditions surrounding it.
The elderly population of Japan has been particularly vulnerable to the effects of the typhoon. Many elderly residents have faced difficulties evacuating and now require additional support and care in the aftermath of the storm.
The entire Kyushu Shinkansen train route was closed as the typhoon hit, and train services have been suspended throughout the affected regions as intense rainfall and winds have exceeded regulatory limits.
Typhoon Shanshan isn’t the only major storm to have struck Japan in August. Earlier in the month, a tropical cyclone named Typhoon Ampil tore across the southeastern coast of Japan at speeds of up to 130 mph (215 kph).
Japan's recorded history of typhoons dates back over a thousand years. One of the most famous instances is the "kamikaze" or "divine wind" typhoons of 1274 and 1281, which are believed to have destroyed Mongol fleets attempting to invade Japan.
Due to the nation’s extensive history with destructive weather events, Japan has some of the most advanced warning systems and disaster preparedness measures in the world. Children are also taught about these measures from a young age, ensuring that citizens are always prepared.
Sources: (CNA) (Reuters) (Devdiscourse) (The Japan Times) (CNN) (Britannica)
A formidable storm known as Typhoon Shanshan has struck Japan in recent days and has brought with it a wave of destruction. As one of the strongest typhoons to make landfall in the region in recent years, Shanshan has caused widespread damage across southern Japan, with powerful winds and torrential rains leading to severe flooding, landslides, and the loss of lives. Indeed, the world has seen its fair share of destructive tropical storms, but the truth is most of them impact Japan.
Curious? Click through this gallery to see what havoc Typhoon Shanshan has left behind.
The path of destruction left by Japan’s Typhoon Shanshan
Yet another typhoon makes landfall in Japan
LIFESTYLE Natural disasters
A formidable storm known as Typhoon Shanshan has struck Japan in recent days and has brought with it a wave of destruction. As one of the strongest typhoons to make landfall in the region in recent years, Shanshan has caused widespread damage across southern Japan, with powerful winds and torrential rains leading to severe flooding, landslides, and the loss of lives. Indeed, the world has seen its fair share of destructive tropical storms, but the truth is most of them impact Japan.
Curious? Click through this gallery to see what havoc Typhoon Shanshan has left behind.