Japan: Typhoon Noru threatens southern region

Event

Typhoon Noru, currently located southeast of Japan over the Pacific Ocean, has strengthened into a “super typhoon” to become this year’s most intense storm. Typhoon Noru temporarily evolved into a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) on July 30 before weakening somewhat. As of Tuesday, August 1, Noru is moving northwestward towards Japan, with an increasing potential to make landfall in the south on Saturday, August 5. Even if Noru remains offshore, heavy rain leading to flash flooding and mudslides remains a serious threat to southern Japan, already heavily impacted by flooding. The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts Noru to pack sustained winds of 160 km/h (100 mph) on Friday.

Context

The Japanese archipelago is significantly affected by the annual Pacific Typhoon Season, which runs from May to October with a peak of storms in August and September. In July, Tropical Cyclone Nanmadol brought torrential rains and substantial flooding that caused infrastructural damage and left 34 dead in the southern prefectures of Fukuoka and Oita.

Advice

Individuals present in affected areas are advised to follow local weather forecasts and to adhere to any advice issued by the regional authorities (e.g. potential evacuation orders). In the event of flooding, keep in mind that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products.