Strong typhoon forecast to hit Japan this week

A strong typhoon was expected to hit southern Japan on Monday ( Aug 26 ), with forecasters predicting heavy rain, strong winds, and possible transportation issues later in the week.

On Wednesday, Typhoon Shanshan was expected to pass through the Amami area region, sending 216kmh gusts before turning its head straight to Kyushu, the major southern island.

A representative from the Japan Meteorological Agency ( JMA ) stated at a press conference that there could be “violent storms” and “high waves” from Tuesday through Friday.

In Miyazaki district in Kyushu, some 400mm of rain was expected in the 24 days from noon on Wednesday, JMA forecaster Shuichi Tachihara said.

” It is necessary to become on high alert about big rain-linked disasters such as floods, inundation of low-lying land and river storms”, he said.

Railways, planes and highway traffic may be disrupted, Satoshi Omatsu, a property and carry ministry established, added.

Due to the upcoming storms, Japan Airlines announced on Monday that it would withdraw 39 private flights scheduled for Tuesday and 77 domestic flights on Wednesday.

Heavy rains fell on thousands of planes and trains this quarter as Typhoon Ampil churned up the Pacific coastline past the Tokyo area, causing only minor accidents and damage.

That method arrived time after Tropical Storm Maria deposited record amounts of rain in the northern regions of Japan.

According to a study released last month, storms in the area have been forming closer to shores, intensifying more quickly, and lasting long over land.