Typhoon Nanmadol hits Japan with full force. Millions of Japanese citizens are threatened.
Kagoshima – An exceptionally violent typhoon is raging in Japan. With wind speeds of up to 260 kilometers per hour, tropical storm “Nanmadol” swept across the island state. At least one person has already died and dozens of other citizens have been injured.
The southwest of the main island of Kyushu is particularly badly affected. According to the Tagesschau , the Japanese weather service speaks of an “unprecedented” danger and a “very dangerous typhoon”. A spokesman for the weather service appealed that “extreme caution is required”. The authorities asked more than four million residents to leave their homes. As a result, thousands of people sought refuge in shelters.
Typhoon in Japan: At least one dead and dozens injured
On Sunday evening (local time), the 14th typhoon of the season made landfall on the southwestern main island of Kyushu near the city of Kagoshima. This was announced by the national weather authority. Due to its high wind speed, the storm could also bring houses down. According to Japanese TV broadcaster NHK, more than 15,000 people were in southern Japan in safe rooms that can withstand the “extreme weather conditions”.
Japanese television stations showed images of fallen trees, damaged house facades and flooded streets. Typhoon “Nanmadol” is considered to be unprecedentedly dangerous. On the southwestern main island of Kyushu, 75 people suffered injuries as a result of the strong gusts of wind. A man in his 60s was pulled unconscious from a flooded car and was later pronounced dead. This was reported by the television station THK.
Tropical Storm: Typhoon “Nanmadol” moves on
In addition to the extreme gusts of wind, the heavy rains cause meter-high waves and flooding. Around 98,000 households had no electricity on Sunday morning (September 18). Public transport in Japan is also severely affected. Hundreds of flights have been canceled due to the typhoon. Train and ferry services have been suspended in affected areas until the storm has subsided.
According to Japan’s weather service, “Nanmadol” is expected to move east across the main island of Honshu. The first heavy rains have already fallen in the state capital Tokyo. A subway line had to shut down due to flooding. The Japanese weather authorities issued a special warning for certain regions on Saturday (September 17). As the Tagesschau reports, such warnings are only issued in Japan when an extraordinary natural event is predicted. This would only occur once a decade. (aa/dpa)
