30 Sep 2018 | 04:01 AM UTC
Japan: Trami arrives on Japanese mainland Sep. 30, nearly 1000 flights canceled /update 4
Typhoon Trami arrives in southern Japan on September 30 after leaving 45 injured in Okinawa; some rail service and nearly 1000 flights canceled; torrential rain, flooding, and landslides possible
Event
Typhoon Trami arrived on the Japanese mainland on Sunday morning (local time), September 30, after injuring 45 people in Okinawa, forcing the closure of Naha Airport (OKA) and leaving more destruction across the Ryukyu Islands. Though the eye of the storm was just east of Kyushu, over the island of Tanegashima, as of 09:00, the southern portion of the island was experiencing typhoon winds of 119 km/h (74 mph) or higher with tropical storm-force winds extending as far as Busan (South Korea) and Osaka. Trami is forecast to track up the southeast coast of Japan, with the eye crossing over Osaka Bay and near Kyoto around 21:00 on Sunday. Rainfall of 15-30 cm (6-12 in) is expected in southern Japan with localized amounts up to 50 cm (20 in). Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of landslides in Kagoshima and Chiba prefectures.
Transportation disruptions are expected for air, rail, and road. Nearly 1000 flights have been canceled in the Kyushu, Shikoku, and Kansai regions, and Kansai International Airport (KIX) is closed until early Monday, October 1. West Japan Railway services are suspended in Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe and bullet train trips will be canceled or delayed as the storm moves closer to Honshu. Landslides and debris may also block roads and railways.
Context
Tropical cyclones and typhoons are common in the western Pacific from June through November. Japan has experienced seven typhoons since July, including Typhoon Jebi which made landfall in early September. Jebi was the strongest tropical storm to hit Japan since 1993 and killed 17 people and caused extensive damage, including forcing the closure of KIX after flooding its runways and main terminal and damaging the bridge to the mainland.
Advice
Individuals present in the abovementioned regions are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation and power disruptions, obey instructions issued by the local authorities, and avoid flood-prone areas until the situation stabilizes. Remember 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; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
