01 Oct 2018 | 01:35 AM UTC
Japan: Disruptions continue as Trami moves across Japan Oct. 1 /update 5
Typhoon Trami continues to cause flight and rail disruptions as it moves through northern Japan October 1; at least one person killed and around 100 injured
Event
Significant transportation disruptions continued into Monday, October 1, as Typhoon Trami moved through northern Japan. Around 200 flights were canceled at Kansai International Airport (KIX) on Monday morning (local time) and other flights were also delayed. KIX temporarily suspended operations on the night of Sunday, September 30, as Trami made landfall. Flight delays are also ongoing at Narita International Airport (NRT) as of Monday morning. Local media reported that commuter rail service was also disrupted throughout the country due to blockages on the tracks. According to power officials, over 750,000 homes lost power and some mobile phone service disruptions have been reported. As of Monday morning, at least one person was reportedly killed in Tottori prefecture (Honshu island) and another person is missing on Kyushu island. Around 100 people have also been injured by the storm. Residual transportation disruptions are anticipated in the coming hours throughout the country, and may continue into Tuesday, October 2.
Context
Tropical cyclones and typhoons are common in the western Pacific from June through November. Japan has experienced seven typhoons since July, including Typhoon Jebi which made landfall in early September. Jebi was the strongest tropical storm to hit Japan since 1993 and killed 17 people and caused extensive damage, including forcing the closure of KIX after flooding its runways and main terminal and damaging the bridge to the mainland.
Advice
Individuals present in Japan 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.
