Strongest typhoon of the year kills at least three in southern Japan – Observer

The strongest hurricane of the year hit southern Japan on Thursday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds that have killed at least three people and injured 28 across the archipelago, local authorities said.

Before Typhoon Shanshan arrived, heavy rains had already triggered a landslide on Tuesday night that buried a house in Gamagori, central Japan, killing three people from the same family and injuring two others, according to the coastal city’s disaster management department.

Four missing after landslide in central Japan

Authorities in Miyazaki province told Agence France-Presse that 26 people were injured — including 10 from a tornado — and more than 150 buildings were damaged.

Most injuries were caused by broken windows or falling objects due to strong winds.

On the southern island of Amami, where the typhoon has already passed, one person was injured after being blown away by a gust of wind while riding a motorcycle, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said.

Shanshan made landfall at around 8:00 a.m. (midnight in Lisbon) near Satsumasendai in southern Kyushu, the country’s second-largest island, home to 12.5 million people.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has predicted that up to 60 centimeters of rain could fall in 24 hours in Kyushu and issued a warning level heightened alert due to strong winds and high waves.

Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi stressed that “violent winds, high waves and storms of a magnitude never before experienced by many people were expected”.

Authorities advised more than 56,000 people to seek shelter in community centers and other public facilities.

Typhoon Shanshan was moving north at 15 kilometers per hour with sustained winds of 144 kilometers per hour and gusts that could reach 200 kilometers per hour, the JMA said.

The approach of the tropical storm led to Toyota to suspend production on 28 production lines at auto giant’s 14 Japanese plants and its branches at least until the end of today.

Japan Airlines has canceled more than 300 flights, while competitor ANA announced the cancellation of more than 250 flights through Friday.

Shinkansen high-speed lines and some local rail services have been suspended.

Postal and delivery services have been suspended in Kyushu, and supermarkets and other stores are also expected to close.

Kyushu’s utility operator said 254,610 homes were without power on the island.

According to a study published in July, hurricanes in the region are forming closer to the coast than in the past, intensifying more quickly and staying over land longer, as a result of climate change.