Japan: Typhoon Shanshan to hit Tokyo August 8-9 /update 1

Event

Typhoon Shanshan is forecast to hit the Tokyo area from the evening of Wednesday, August 8 (local time), through Thursday, August 9, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. As of the early morning hours of Wednesday, Shanshan was packing maximum sustained winds of 126 km/h (78 mph) and was located at 32°20' N, 142°40' E, moving to the northwest at 20 km/h (12 mph). As of Wednesday morning, warnings and advisories have been issued in Tokyo prefecture for thunderstorms, gale-force winds, and high waves; heavy rain and storm warnings are expected to be issued across much of the area in the coming hours. Up to 55 cm (22 in) of rain are forecast to inundate eastern and central Japan through Thursday afternoon, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Consequent flooding and transportation disruptions (including flight delays and cancelations) are expected in the Tokyo area and other parts of eastern and central Japan in the coming hours and days. Power outages are also possible in affected areas.

Context

Japan has suffered a bout of extreme weather in recent weeks, including a severe heatwave in July; temperatures up to 41°C (106°F) were recorded near Tokyo late in the month. The heatwave killed over 100 people, while tens of thousands of others suffered from heatstroke. Then, in early August, heavy rain in the west killed over 200 people, damaging infrastructure and impacting transportation.

Typhoons and tropical storms regularly hit Japan from June through November after gathering strength in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea.

Advice

Individuals present in Japan, particularly in the Tokyo area, are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate strong winds and heavy rain (and consequent flooding and disruptions), and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.

Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.