Japan’s eastern region orders evacuations as typhoon Ampil approaches
Typhoon Ampil, classified as “very strong” by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), has prompted a significant response from Japanese authorities, including the grounding of hundreds of flights and evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents in eastern Japan. The typhoon, which is approaching the Kanto region, including Tokyo, has caused widespread disruptions during a major summer holiday week.
The JMA reported that Typhoon Ampil, with wind speeds of 45 meters per second and gusts reaching up to 60 meters per second (216 kph/134 mph), is expected to bring severe weather to the Kanto region by Friday evening. The agency has issued warnings about potential injuries from flying debris and possible overturning of vehicles due to the intense winds.
In response, Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture has ordered approximately 323,000 residents to evacuate due to the anticipated heavy rainfall through Saturday morning. Similarly, Mobara City in Chiba Prefecture has issued evacuation orders for around 18,500 residents. Many other cities have opened special evacuation centers and advised residents to evacuate voluntarily.
Power outages have affected over 2,500 households in the Kanto region, with Tokyo Electric Power reporting ongoing issues. The disruptions have extended to transportation, with major airlines cancelling numerous flights. ANA Holdings has scrapped 281 domestic and 54 international flights scheduled for Friday, impacting nearly 70,000 passengers. The airline has also announced additional cancellations for 32 flights at Tokyo’s Haneda airport on Saturday, affecting approximately 2,300 travelers. Japan Airlines has cancelled 281 domestic and 38 international flights, affecting around 50,000 passengers.
High-speed Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Nagoya have also been halted. Additionally, many businesses have adjusted their operations in response to the storm, with restaurants, department stores, and amusement parks either closing or reducing their hours. Tokyo Disneyland, operated by Oriental Land, has moved up its closing time to 3 p.m. from 9 p.m. local time.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as Typhoon Ampil advances, urging residents to follow safety instructions and stay informed through official channels.
