Japan Typhoon VongFong Injures 31, Disturbs Air Travel, Forces 350,000 Out of Their Homes, Knocks Down Power
Typhoon Vongfong, the second weather disturbance that hit Japan in just a week's time, has injured at least 31 people on Okinawa island. Pounding winds and rain forced people to leave their homes and seek higher ground as VongFong knocked down the power or electricity on the island.
Airline companies have likewise cancelled some 384 flights in the Okinawa prefecture and the island of Kyushu. VongFong, which has weakened after crossing Okinawa, forced 200,000 people to evacuate on the island. Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture.
Vongfong, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, currently has winds of up to 120km/h (75 mph), with gusts of 175km/h. It knocked down power supplies to 46,600 homes in Okinawa, Okinawa Electric Power Company said.
It is now on its way to Kyushu, where 150,000 people have been advised to evacuate. Authorities issued landslide warnings to aid Kyushu residents. Although, VongFong has already weakened, weather forecasters said that it still carries an enormous amount of moisture that is sure will dump in the area, effectively triggering flash floods.
Kyushu Electric Power Company said blackouts has ensued on the island, affecting 54,700 homes. The AP reported bullet train operators had suspended operations on Monday and that it could continue on Tuesday depending on weather conditions.
During the middle of last week, Vongfong reached super typhoon status as it moved through an area of low wind shear and very warm ocean temperatures. It reached Category 5 hurricane strength with wind speeds greater than 257 kph (160 mph).
It will continue to lose strength as it moves up in the archipelago. Last Tuesday, the typhoon is forecast to hit Tokyo.
"Vongfong became the strongest tropical cyclone we've had all year anywhere on Earth," Jim Andrews, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist, said.
AccuWeather.com said Kyushu, Shikoku and southern Honshu will experience rainfall exceeding 250 mm (10 inches) for the duration of VongFong, with the mountainous areas potentially receiving over 500 mm (20 inches).
Residents at high-risk areas are strongly advised to prepare against more floods and mudslides, especially since they have yet to shake off the effects that Typhoon Phanfone brought to the region just barely a week ago. Tokyo alone experienced 272 millimetres (10.71 inches) of rain
"Phanfone was a huge rainstorm for Tokyo, one of the biggest I can remember," Andrews said.
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