Typhoon Shanshan devastates Japan, 6 dead as floods and landslides persist
At least six people have been confirmed dead as Typhoon Shanshan continued its eastward trek through Japan on Saturday, unleashing torrential rains and prompting widespread flood and landslide warnings across the nation. The storm, which made landfall in Kyushu on Thursday, has left a trail of destruction, with record-breaking rainfall inundating large areas.
Footage broadcast by national broadcaster NHK displayed severe damage, including homes with partially sheared roofs and vehicles navigating wheels-deep in floodwaters in Japan’s southwest. As of Saturday afternoon, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported one person missing and over 100 injured. Additionally, more than 35,000 homes in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Kyushu, were without power, according to Kyushu Electric.
Though Shanshan was downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday, it still impacted areas far from its centre, including Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture. The storm, which was centered approximately 480 km (300 miles) southwest of Tokyo at 12:50 p.m. local time (0350 GMT), brought gusty winds reaching up to 25 meters per second (90 kph, 55 mph).
In response to the ongoing threat, authorities have issued flood and landslide warnings nationwide. The storm has led to the suspension of air and rail services and the closure of numerous factories. While Shanshan is anticipated to weaken to a tropical depression over the weekend, it is still expected to deliver substantial rainfall, NHK reported.
