Philippine Sea: Tropical Storm Khanun tracking north-northwestward toward Kyushu, Japan, as of early Aug. 8 /update 13

Event

Tropical Storm Khanun is tracking north-northwestward in the Philippine Sea, toward Kyushu, Japan, early Aug. 8. As of 12:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 480 km (298 miles) south-southeast of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.

Forecast models indicate that the storm will strengthen slightly as it continues north-northwestward and tracks along the coast of western Kyushu through Aug. 9. Khanun is forecast to make close approaches to the Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture late Aug. 8, Koshikijima Islands early Aug. 9, and Goto Islands, Nagasaki Prefecture, late Aug. 9, passing west of the islands. Khanun will then continue north-northwestward and make landfall near the border of South Korea's South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla provinces early Aug. 10. The storm is forecast to weaken as it tracks across North Jeolla, South Chungcheong, then Gyeonggi provinces, and Seoul Special City through Aug. 10, and over North Korea's North Hwanghae, South Pyongan, then Chagang provinces through Aug. 11. Khanun will likely dissipate over southern Jilin Province in China early Aug. 12. Uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and significant changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Aug. 8, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is maintaining red (the middle level on a three-tier scale) storm, heavy rain, landslide, flood, and high wave warnings across northern and central Okinawa, Kagoshima, Miyazaki, eastern Oita, southern Kochi, and southern Ehime prefectures, as well as numerous yellow warnings across the rest of western and central Japan. The JMA has advised residents to move into a sturdy building and stay away from windows indoors, be extremely vigilant against strong winds, and be careful of high waves. The heaviest rainfall totals of around 40 cm (16 inches) are likely in southern Kyushu, and 30 cm (12 inches) are likely in parts of the Amami Islands and northern Kyushu through early Aug. 9. Heavy rainfall is forecast to persist over much of central and western Japan through Aug. 10.

Authorities have confirmed two fatalities in Okinawa Prefecture late Aug. 1; one in Ogimi Village due to a collapsed garage and another in Uruma City due to an accident that burnt down a house. The inclement weather has injured at least 88 people in Okinawa Prefecture. Authorities are maintaining evacuation orders for thousands of people across Amami and Makurazaki cities and other smaller towns and villages in Kagoshima Prefecture as well as across parts of Okinawa and Miyazaki prefectures. At the height of the typhoon, hundreds of thousands of households were without power across Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami Islands; crews have mostly restored power supplies.

Airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the Ryukyu Islands and Kyushu Aug. 1-8. Some flights have resumed, but flight cancellations and delays are ongoing as of early Aug. 8. Further flight cancellations and delays are likely due to the adverse weather conditions. Trains leaving Kagoshima-Chuo and outbound trains leaving Kumamoto on the Kyushu Shinkansen are suspended from the afternoon of Aug. 8. Authorities have warned that train services on the Sanyo Shinkansen may be suspended between Shin-Osaka and Hakata stations from late Aug. 9 through early Aug. 10. Officials have also suspended numerous other local trains across Kyushu.

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. Additional 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)
China Meteorological Administration
Korea Meteorological Administration