Asia Pacific
A powerful typhoon is moving toward Japan’s Pacific coastal areas, increasing the risk of torrential rain, strong winds and landslides in the Kanto region and other parts of eastern Japan.
A powerful typhoon is moving toward Japan’s Pacific coastal areas, increasing the risk of torrential rain, strong winds and landslides in the Kanto region and other parts of eastern Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned that weather conditions could deteriorate rapidly. According to the agency, Typhoon Dujuan is forecast to pass near the Tokyo metropolitan area later in the day.
Heavy rainfall has already been reported in the Izu Islands, Chiba Prefecture and other parts of Japan’s Pacific coast, with more than 300 millimeters, or over 12 inches, of rain recorded in some areas since Saturday. According to the weather agency, rainfall could become even heavier from Monday afternoon as the typhoon approaches the Kanto region. The Kanto region includes Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures. During the Asian Games being held in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan, organizers have postponed the equestrian eventing competition until Tuesday due to the typhoon.
Authorities have warned that persistent and concentrated bands of heavy rain could develop over the Kanto and central Japan regions, significantly increasing the risk of flash flooding and other rain-related natural disasters. Such rain bands have become an increasing concern in Japan in recent years. They can produce exceptionally heavy rainfall over relatively limited areas for several hours. Typhoon Dujuan is approaching Japan at a time when extreme weather events are increasing in various parts of the world, with reports of unusually heavy rainfall, flooding and severe storms from East Asia to North America and Europe.
