Japan hit by one of strongest typhoons in decades

Addis Ababa, August 29, 2024 (FBC) – Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in Japan at 08:00 local time today (23:00 GMT) and has left at least three people dead since developing off the coast earlier this week.

Three people have been confirmed dead after their home was damaged late on Tuesday. At least 84 have been injured, according to Japan’s national broadcaster NHK. More than five million people have been advised to evacuate – it’s not known how many have done so.

More than 700 flights have been cancelled, and two high speed railways suspended. More than 80 sections of highway were also suspended. Meanwhile, over 230,000 homes were without electricity this morning and 90 without water.

One woman told a local TV station she didn’t think she could live through the strong winds, “I just wanted to survive”, she said. A man described a tornado as “out of this world”, adding that it was “spooky” to look at.

In a news conference this morning, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary warned the “slow” moving typhoon could mean large amounts of rainfall. Since then, Japan’s weather agency has predicted 1,200mm (43in) rain in southern Kyushu by tomorrow morning. As for the typhoon itself – it’s heading northwards. BBC