Japan: Tropical Storm Lan tracking northwestward over Kansai Region as of early Aug. 15 /update 4

Event

Tropical Storm Lan is tracking northwestward over the Kansai region of Japan after making landfall over the far southeastern coast of Wakayama Prefecture early Aug. 15. As of 12:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 407 km (253 miles) west-southwest of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will weaken further as it tracks north-northwestward across the Kansai Region before entering the Sea of Japan late Aug. 15. The storm is likely to weaken slightly as it turns to track north-northeastward and then northeastward across the Sea of Japan Aug. 16-17 before making landfall as a tropical storm over Russia's southern Sakhalin Island late Aug. 17. Uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Aug. 15, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued purple (the second highest level on a four-tier scale) heavy rain, landslide, and storm surge warnings for southern Gifu, Hyogo, Iwate, northern Kyoto, Nara, northern Okayama, southern Shiga, northern Tokushima, and Tottori prefectures. Red heavy rain, landslide, flood, storm, and high wave warnings are in place across the rest of central Japan. Numerous yellow weather warnings are in effect across other parts of Japan. The JMA has advised residents to be vigilant for storms, landslides, flooding, and high waves across most of Japan. Thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds are likely across the Shikoku region the afternoon of Aug. 15, and across the Kansai and Tokai regions late Aug. 15. Rainfall totals of 25 cm (10 inches) across the Tokai, Kansai, and Chugoku regions, and 18 cm (7 inches) across the Hokuriku, Kanto, and Koshin regions are forecast through early Aug. 16. Further heavy rainfall is likely across central Japan Aug. 16 and northern Japan Aug. 17. Authorities are discharging water from dams across the Chugoku, Kansai, and Tokai regions in advance of the typhoon.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people across parts of Aichi, Gifu, Iwate, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, and Wakayama prefectures. Officials have advised the evacuation of elderly people for many more areas across parts of central Japan. Authorities have also closed several tourist attractions and postponed a number of sporting and cultural events due to the storm's approach.

Officials have suspended the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama stations and the Tokaido Shinkansen between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka stations, and reduced the number of trains between Okayama and Hakata stations on the Sanyo Shinkansen and between Tokyo and Nagoya stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen Aug. 15. Further cancellations are possible Aug. 15-16.

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights at airports across central Japan, including Kansai International (KIX), Haneda (HND), Chubu Centrair International (NGO), Osaka International (IMT), Kobe (UKB), and Shizuoka (FSZ) airports, Aug. 15. Further flight disruptions are likely over the coming days. Reports indicate that more than 600 people stayed overnight at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Portions of the Joshinetsu Expressway between Nagano and Gunma prefectures, western East Japan Expressway, Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway in Kyoto Prefecture and around Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka Prefecture, Tokushima-Nanbu Expressway in Tokushima Prefecture, Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway between Hyogo and Tokushima prefectures, and the Shikoku Expressway are closed due to strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding. Officials may implement traffic restrictions on the Central Nippon Expressway and the Metropolitan Expressway Aug. 15-16.

Authorities have confirmed that two people in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, another five people in Osaka Prefecture, and one person in Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture sustained injuries as of early Aug. 15. Reports indicate mobile phone service disruptions in Kishiwada City in Osaka Prefecture, Shingu City and Nachikatsuura and Kushimoto towns in Wakayama Prefecture, and Kumano City and Kiho Town in Mie Prefecture. As of early Aug. 15, more than 35,000 households in the Kansai region and more than 44,000 households in the Chubu region were without power, including more than 14,800 households in Osaka Prefecture and almost 40,000 households in Mie Prefecture. Couriers have suspended services and convenience stores are closed across much of central Japan Aug. 15.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions and render some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary closures of ports are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.

Advice

Activate contingency plans in areas where officials forecast tropical storm conditions. Heed any evacuation orders that may be issued. Use extreme caution in low-lying coastal areas and near streams, creeks, and other waterways due to the potential for severe flooding and storm surge. Stockpile water, batteries, and other essentials in advance. Charge battery-powered devices when electricity is available; restrict the use of cellular phones to emergencies only. Power down mobile devices when not in use. Keep important documents and necessary medications in waterproof containers. Observe strict food and water precautions, as municipalities could issue boil-water advisories following flooding events. Take precautions against insect- and waterborne diseases in the coming weeks.

Plan accordingly for protracted commercial, transport, and logistics disruptions in areas in the path of the storm, especially if vital infrastructure is damaged. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred. Confirm flights before checking out of hotels or driving to the airport; clearing passenger backlogs may take several days in some locations.

Resources

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)