One of Japan’s strongest typhoons landed on the southern island of Kyushu.
Typhoon Nanmadol has brought winds of at least 180 km/h (112mph), and throughout Sunday and Monday, certain places may get 500 mm (20 inches) of precipitation.
At least four million individuals have received an order to leave their houses.
Numerous landslides and significant floods are anticipated, and hundreds of flights, ferries, and bullet train services have been canceled.
On Sunday morning, the typhoon made landfall close to Kagoshima, located on the southernmost point of Kyushu.
With a population of more than 13 million, Kyushu is the southernmost of the four islands that make up the main body of Japan.
According to the Japan Times, the island was the first location outside of Okinawa Prefecture to get a “special notice” from authorities. Okinawa Prefecture comprises smaller, more isolated Japanese islands in the East China Sea.
According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, Nanmadol will bring strong gusts, storm surges near the coast, and heavy rain. As a result, homes may also be in danger of collapsing.
According to a local official in Izumi, conditions were quickly worsening on Sunday afternoon.
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“The wind has amplified significantly. According to AFP, there is also a heavy downpour, “He said. “Outside, it’s completely white out. Nearly no visibility is present.”
The typhoon is heading north across Kyushu, dumping copious amounts of rain on the island’s central mountainous region.
Over the next several days, it is anticipated to meander north across central Japan into Tokyo, keeping most of its power.
Rain is the most significant danger to people and property since it is already raising rivers and triggering mudslides and land disasters.
Although officials have issued evacuation advisories for the whole of Kyushu, doing so is not required. In the past, they have had difficulty persuading citizens to take cover before severe weather occurrences.
Utility providers reported that about 200,000 houses were without electricity by Sunday evening.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged people to “evacuate immediately if they feel threatened in any manner.”
He urged everyone to stay away from areas that may be dangerous, such as rivers and other waterways or areas that could experience landslides.
“Evacuating at night is highly risky. Therefore, I implore everyone to leave the area and find safety before midnight.”
The most excellent typhoon to reach Japan this season, Nanmadol, is the 14th in the Pacific.
An official from Japan’s meteorological service said on Saturday that it might be worse than Typhoon Jebi in 2018, which claimed 14 lives, and Typhoon Hagibis in 2019, which caused significant power outages.
Although the nation is well-equipped to handle such storms, experts claim that climate change is increasing its size and destructiveness.