Japan: Typhoon Lan tracking northwestward toward Kansai region as of early Aug. 14 /update 2

Event

Typhoon Lan is tracking northwestward in the Philippine Sea toward the Kansai region of Japan early Aug. 14. As of 12:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 439 km (273 miles) south-southwest of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will maintain its strength as it tracks northwestward and makes landfall over the border of Mie and Wakayama prefectures early Aug. 15. Lan is forecast to weaken rapidly into a tropical storm as it tracks northward across the Kansai region before entering the Sea of Japan late Aug. 15. The storm is likely to weaken further as it tracks north-northeastward along the eastern coasts of the Chubu, Tohoku, and Hokkaido regions. Lan is forecast to make an additional landfall over the far northwestern tip of Hokkaido Prefecture late Aug. 17 before entering the Sea of Okhotsk early Aug. 18. Uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Aug. 14, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued red (the middle level on a three-tier scale) high wave warnings across the Izu Islands and Aichi, Kanagawa, eastern Kochi, southern Mie, Shizuoka, and southern Wakayama prefectures, as well as numerous yellow warnings across the rest of Japan. The JMA has advised residents to be vigilant for storms, landslides, flooding, and high waves across most of Japan and for storm surges in western Japan. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are likely across Kansai region the afternoon of Aug. 14-the afternoon of Aug. 15, in the Tokai region the afternoon of Aug. 14-late Aug. 15, in the Kanto and Koshin regions late Aug. 14-early Aug. 15, in the Shikoku region late Aug. 14-the afternoon of Aug. 15, and in the Chugoku region early Aug. 15-the afternoon of Aug. 15. The heaviest rainfall of 40 cm (16 inches) across the Tokai region and 35 cm (14 inches) across the Kansai and Shikoku regions are forecast through early Aug. 15. Authorities are discharging water from dams across the Chugoku, Kansai, and Tokai regions in advance of the typhoon.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders for almost 500 people in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, and thousands of elderly and vulnerable people in Kiho Town in Mie Prefecture and Shingu City and Taiji Town in Wakayama Prefecture.

Authorities 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 have canceled dozens of flights at Kansai International (KIX), Haneda (HND), Chubu Centrair International (NGO), Hachijojima (HAC), Naha (OKA), Kobe (UKB), Kagoshima (KOJ), and Fukuoka (FUK) airport Aug. 14-15. Traffic restrictions, including road closures, are possible on East Japan and the Metropolitan expressways Aug. 13-16 and on the Central Nippon Expressway Aug. 15-16. A landslide late Aug. 13 resulted in the closure of National Route 45 in Omoto, Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture.

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)