Japan: Typhoon Ampil tracking northeastward to the east of Chiba Prefecture as of late Aug. 16 /update 4

Typhoon Ampil is tracking northeastward in the western Pacific Ocean close to Japan's Chiba Prefecture late Aug. 16. As of 21:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 211 km (131 miles) east of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will weaken as it tracks generally northeastward away from Japan through Aug. 18 before transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone late Aug. 18. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

As of late Aug. 16, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a bulletin warning of continued heavy rainfall, possible landslides, strong winds, lightning, and large waves over Kanto and Tohoku regions through at least Aug. 17. Additional rainfall totals of around 10 cm (4 inches) are forecast in Tohoku Region and 6 cm (2.4 inches) in Kanto-Koshin Region Aug. 17. Winds gusting up to 162 ph (101 mph) are expected in Tohoku Region Aug. 16-17 and Kanto region Aug. 16 and up to 126 kph (78 mph) in Kanto region Aug. 17. Waves of up to 10 meters (33 feet) are expected in Kanto Region Aug. 16 and up to 8 meters (26 feet) in Tohoku Region Aug. 16-17 and Kanto Region Aug. 17.

As of late Aug. 16, the JMA has issued red heavy rain/landslide warnings (the second lowest level on a four-tier scale) for the southern Izu Islands, red storm/gale warnings for parts of Chiba, Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Miyagi prefectures, and red high wave warnings for parts of Chiba, Ibaraki, Tokyo, Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures. Various other yellow weather warnings are in place across the affected area. Authorities will likely issue new warnings or update existing advisories throughout the system's progression in the coming days.

Widespread transport delays are ongoing during the passing of the storm. All Nippon Airways (NH), Japan Airlines (JL), and several smaller airlines have canceled around 950 domestic and international flights to and from Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT) in the Greater Tokyo area. All services on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Nagoya and some trains on the Tohoku, Joetsu, and Yamagata Shinkansen lines are suspended Aug. 16. JR West is also reducing services on the Sanyo Shinkansen line. Various other train services are also canceled Aug. 16. Sections of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line and Seisho Bypass expressways were closed Aug. 16 but were due to reopen at 21:00. The Coast Guard advised vessels to evacuate Tokyo Bay in plenty of time before the storm approached and to avoid entering the bay during the passing of the storm. The Tokyo Bay Ferry, Ocean Tokyu Ferry, and Tokai Kisen canceled all services Aug. 16 and some services Aug. 17.

Authorities have issued purple evacuation orders (the second highest level on a five-tier scale) calling for people to evacuate dangerous areas in Ashai City and Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture, and Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. Red evacuation orders for the elderly and other vulnerable people have been issued in parts of Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Tochigi prefectures. Officials may issue further evacuation orders in affected areas over the coming hours. Various sporting events have been canceled and leisure attractions closed across Kanto and Tohoku regions. As of late Aug. 16, more than 6,000 households are without power across Kanto Region, with Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures worst affected. Authorities have reported at least two storm-related injuries in Kanagawa Prefecture and one in Ibaraki Prefecture. Minor storm damage has been reported in Mito City in Ibaraki Prefecture and Ota and Shibuya wards in Tokyo Prefecture. Downed powerlines and flooded roads have been reported in parts of Chiba 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.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions and render some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures 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.