Japan: Tropical Depression Pulasan tracking eastward away from South Korea as of early Sept. 22 /update 9

Tropical Depression Pulasan is tracking eastward across the Sea of Japan and is approaching Honshu, Japan, early Sept. 22. As of 00:01 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 59 km (37 miles) south-southwest of Busan, South Korea.

The system made landfall over the northern tip of Tsushima Island, Japan, late Sept. 21 and a subsequent landfall over far northern Shimane Prefecture early Sept. 22. Forecast models indicate that the weather system will transition into a remnant low before making another landfall over Fukui Prefecture over the coming hours. Pulasan is forecast to track east-northeastward across central Honshu before exiting into the North Pacific Ocean and tracking away from Japan late Sept. 22. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

The Korea Meteorological Administration maintains strong wind advisories in southeastern regions and strong wave warnings in eastern coastal areas.

Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall since late Sept. 20 have led to authorities evacuating around 903 people across southern South Korea, with parts of North Gyeongsang Province the worst affected. Floods have inundated dozens of roads, homes, and buildings. The heavy rainfall also caused a sinkhole to open up in Busan's Sasang District. Operators have suspended rail services, including the Gyeongbu Line linking Seoul and Busan. Operators have also halted multiple ferry services, including services linking Incheon and the northern islands and in the East Sea.

Heavy rainfall is already affecting areas of Japan, mainly along the coast of the Sea of Japan, due to a linear rain belt, and the arrival of the storm system will likely exacerbate the situation. As of early Sept. 22, a black special heavy rain warning (the highest level on a four-tier scale) is in place for northern Ishikawa Prefecture, and purple (the highest level on a three-tier scale) landslide warnings across Niigate and central Yamagata prefectures. Red heavy rain, landslide, and flood warnings are in place across northern Chubu, central Kyushu, and Tohoku regions. Authorities have issued purple evacuation orders (the second highest level on a five-tier scale for evacuation warnings) for parts of Higashine, Murayama, and Obanazawa cities, Shonai Town, and Sakegawa Village in Yamagata Prefecture, Murakami and Niigata cities in Niigata Prefecture, and Hakui, Nanao, Suzu, and Wajima cities and Nakanoto, Noto, and Shika towns in Ishikawa Prefecture due to the risk of flooding and landslides. Red evacuation orders for the elderly and vulnerable are in place for parts of Shiga and Yamagata prefectures. Officials will likely update, expand, or rescind the status of evacuation orders as weather conditions change over the coming hours and days.

Four people are missing after four houses along Tsukada River in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, were washed away late Sept. 21. Three other people are missing following a landslide near the north entrance of the Nakaya Tunnel on National Route 249 in Wajima City. The Yamagata Shinkansen is suspended between Yamagata and Shinjo stations Sept. 22. Some major telecommunications companies have confirmed that users are experiencing telecommunications issues in parts of Ishikawa 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, rendering 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.