23 Aug 2018 | 06:27 PM UTC
Japan: Typhoon Cimaron brings heavy rains, disruptions August 23-24 /update 2
Typhoon Cimaron brings heavy rains and high winds to western Japan, notably including Shikoku and parts of southern Honshu, causing flight disruptions and power outages August 23-24; storm forecast to weaken and hit Hokkaido August 24-25
Event
Typhoon Cimaron made landfall in eastern Shikoku with maximum sustained wind speeds equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane (154-177 km/h [96-110 mph]) on the evening of Thursday, August 23 (local time). In addition to the high winds, the storm has also brought heavy rainfall and high surf to western Japan. As of Thursday night, the storm was located near 33.8°N, 134.7°E, packing maximum sustained winds of 139 km/h (86 mph).
Notably, the storm has forced the evacuations of over 100,000 people from Kobe (Hyōgo prefecture) due to the threat of rain-induced landslides. Cimaron also caused power outages affecting over 26,000 homes in Kansai region (southern Honshu) on Thursday night, and has prompted hundreds of flight cancelations at airports in Shikoku and Kansai. Downed trees have also obstructed roads in affected areas.
Wind gusts of up to 198 km/h (123 mph) are forecast to continue to batter Shikoku on Friday, August 24. Rainfall totals of up to 80 cm (30 in) are expected in Shikoku through Friday morning, causing flooding and - potentially - landslides. Cimaron is then forecast to move northward into the Sea of Japan and weaken before winding northeast and hitting Hokkaido late on Friday into the morning of Saturday, August 25, bringing heavy rain of 7.5-15 cm (3-6 in) to southern parts of the island (with locally higher totals possible). Consequent flooding and associated landslides, transportation disruptions, and power outages are possible in affected parts of Japan in the coming hours and days.
Context
Cimaron is the second major storm to affect Japan this week following Typhoon Soulik. Typhoons and tropical cyclones are common in the eastern Pacific from June through November.
Advice
Individuals present in the abovementioned regions are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation and power disruptions, obey instructions issued by the local authorities, and avoid flood-prone areas until the situation stabilizes. 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.
