Japan is bracing for widespread travel chaos as Typhoon Shanshan, now classified as a “very severe” storm, approaches its coast. The typhoon is expected to bring torrential rain, violent winds, and significant disruptions to both rail and air travel.
Already, Japan Airlines has canceled 118 domestic flights, primarily serving Kagoshima and the Amami Islands, along with several international flights. All Nippon Airways has also warned of potential disruptions at Osaka airport and other regional hubs. Rail services are equally affected, with Japan Railway companies considering suspending Shinkansen super-express trains in Kyushu and parts of Honshu from Wednesday to Sunday.
As Shanshan moves closer, authorities have issued severe weather warnings, urging residents to prepare for flooding, landslides, and high waves. The disruptions caused by the typhoon are expected to impact thousands of travelers, leading to significant economic consequences and highlighting the vulnerability of Japan’s transportation infrastructure to extreme weather events.
Typhoon Shanshan is steadily moving closer to Japan’s coast, intensifying into a “very strong” storm and prompting widespread disruptions across the southwestern islands. As the typhoon approaches, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a series of warnings, urging residents to prepare for heavy rains, violent winds, and potential flooding. The storm is expected to have a significant impact on travel, with both flight and rail services being affected.
On Tuesday morning, Typhoon Shanshan was located approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) east of the southern island of Amami, slowly advancing northward towards Kyushu, Japan’s southwestern main island. The JMA reported that the storm was packing winds of up to 162 kilometers (100 miles) per hour, making it a formidable force as it moved closer to Japan’s coast.
The JMA predicts that Shanshan will continue its northwest trajectory before veering northward on Wednesday. The storm is likely to make a close approach to the Amami Islands, with the possibility of making landfall in southern Kyushu by Thursday.
As it approaches, Shanshan is expected to bring severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and high waves, particularly in the Amami Islands and Kyushu region. In anticipation of Shanshan’s impact, the JMA has issued severe weather warnings for the affected regions. The agency has forecasted up to 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) of rainfall on the Amami island over the next 24 hours and up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) in the Kyushu region from Wednesday to Thursday. These heavy rains are expected to lead to flooding in low-lying areas, landslides, and river inundation.
In addition to the rainfall, the JMA has warned of strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 90 miles per hour in southern Kyushu and the Amami region starting Tuesday. These winds could intensify to 110 miles per hour by Wednesday, posing significant risks to both life and property. The agency has also advised residents to stay alert for high waves and storm surges, which could exacerbate flooding and cause coastal damage.
As Typhoon Shanshan inches closer to Japan’s coast, transportation services have already begun to feel the impact. Japan Airlines (JAL) has canceled 118 domestic flights, primarily serving Kagoshima and the Amami Islands, as well as six international flights as of Tuesday morning. The airline has warned that further delays and cancellations are expected throughout the week as the storm progresses.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has also announced that the storm is likely to affect flights at Osaka airport and other regional airports. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights regularly and to make alternative travel arrangements where possible.
In addition to the disruption in air travel, Japan Railway companies have announced potential suspensions of Shinkansen super-express train services. These suspensions are expected to affect services in Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, as well as large parts of Honshu, Japan’s main island, between Wednesday and Sunday. Travelers are advised to monitor updates from railway companies and consider delaying non-essential travel during this period.
In response to Typhoon Shanshan, local authorities have begun implementing safety measures to protect residents and minimize damage. Evacuation orders have been issued in some areas, particularly in low-lying regions prone to flooding and landslides. Shelters have been set up to accommodate those displaced by the storm, and emergency services are on high alert to respond to any incidents.
The JMA has emphasized the importance of early preparation, advising residents to secure outdoor objects, reinforce windows and doors, and ensure that emergency supplies are readily available. People living in areas at risk of landslides or flooding have been urged to evacuate early and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
The impact of Typhoon Shanshan is expected to be felt most acutely in the Amami Islands and southern Kyushu, where the combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves could cause significant damage. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable, with the potential for storm surges and erosion exacerbating the effects of the typhoon.
Typhoon Shanshan is the latest in a series of storms that have affected the region this year. Between May and July, Japan experienced three tropical storms, two typhoons, and one major typhoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average for this period between 1991 and 2020 is about eight tropical storms, four typhoons, and two major typhoons, indicating that this season has been particularly active.
The increased frequency and intensity of these storms have raised concerns about the long-term impacts of climate change on weather patterns in the region. As sea temperatures rise, typhoons are expected to become more powerful and destructive, posing greater risks to coastal communities and infrastructure.
The disruptions caused by Typhoon Shanshan are likely to have a significant economic impact, particularly in the travel and tourism sectors. The cancellation of flights and rail services will affect thousands of passengers, leading to lost revenue for airlines and rail companies, as well as hotels and other businesses that rely on tourism. Moreover, the damage caused by the typhoon could have long-lasting effects on local economies, particularly in areas that are already vulnerable to natural disasters. The cost of repairs and recovery efforts, combined with the potential for lost productivity, could place a significant strain on regional economies.
As Japan continues to face the challenges of an active typhoon season, there is growing recognition of the need for more robust disaster preparedness and response strategies. This includes investments in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, as well as improved early warning systems and public education campaigns to ensure that residents are better equipped to deal with the impacts of these storms.
As Typhoon Shanshan approaches Japan’s coast, the nation is bracing for the severe weather conditions that are expected to accompany the storm. With heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves forecasted for the southwestern islands, authorities have implemented a range of safety measures to protect residents and minimize damage. However, the disruptions to transportation services, particularly flights and rail, underscore the significant impact that typhoons can have on Japan’s economy and infrastructure.
As the storm continues its path towards Kyushu, residents and travelers alike are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. The experience of Typhoon Shanshan serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent and intense weather events, and the need for continued efforts to build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
