Tokyo: two million people Japan Was told to take shelter before coming on Saturday Typhoon NanmadolNational broadcaster NHK said, as the weather agency issued a rare “special warning” about the powerful storm.
NHK, which compiles alerts issued by local authorities, said level four evacuation instructions – the second largest – were for people in Kagoshima, kumamoto and Miyazaki in the southern Kyushu region.
The move came as the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest ever alert for the Kagoshima region, a warning that comes as it forecast conditions seen only once in several decades.
This is the first thunderstorm special warning issued outside Okinawa area since the current system was introduced in 2013.
On Saturday evening, Typhoon Nanmadol was classified in the agency’s top category of “violent”, and was moving up to 270 kilometers (167 mi) as it moved roughly north-northeast of Minami Daito Island. 200 km, which was part of a string. The remote islands that make up the Okinawa region.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday, then move north before turning toward the main island of Japan the next day.
“There are risks of unprecedented storms, high waves, storm surges and record rainfall,” Ryuta KuroraThe head of the forecast unit of the Japan Meteorological Agency told reporters.
“Maximum caution is required,” he said, urging residents to evacuate early.
“It’s a very dangerous storm.”
“The wind will be so strong that some houses may collapse,” Kurora told reporters. He also warned of floods and landslides.
Evacuation warnings call for people to move to shelter or alternative housing that can withstand extreme weather.
But they are not mandatory, and during past extreme weather events officials have struggled to persuade residents to seek shelter quickly enough.
Kuroda said residents should exercise caution even inside strong buildings.
“Please move to strong buildings before violent winds blow and stay away from windows even inside strong buildings,” he told a press conference late at night.
Japan is currently in typhoon season and experiences about 20 such storms annually, with regular heavy rains that cause landslides or flash floods.
In 2019, Typhoon Hagibis lashed Japan as it hosted the Rugby World Cup, claiming the lives of over 100 people.
A year earlier, Typhoon JB closed down Kansai Airport in Osaka, killing 14 people.
And in 2018, floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in western Japan during the country’s annual rainy season.
Prior to the arrival of Typhoon Nanmadol, flight cancellations began affecting regional airports including Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Kumamoto, according to the Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways websites.
Scientists say that climate change is increasing the severity of storms and becoming more frequent and intense due to extreme weather such as heat waves, drought and flash floods.
NHK, which compiles alerts issued by local authorities, said level four evacuation instructions – the second largest – were for people in Kagoshima, kumamoto and Miyazaki in the southern Kyushu region.
The move came as the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its highest ever alert for the Kagoshima region, a warning that comes as it forecast conditions seen only once in several decades.
This is the first thunderstorm special warning issued outside Okinawa area since the current system was introduced in 2013.
On Saturday evening, Typhoon Nanmadol was classified in the agency’s top category of “violent”, and was moving up to 270 kilometers (167 mi) as it moved roughly north-northeast of Minami Daito Island. 200 km, which was part of a string. The remote islands that make up the Okinawa region.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Kagoshima Prefecture on Sunday, then move north before turning toward the main island of Japan the next day.
“There are risks of unprecedented storms, high waves, storm surges and record rainfall,” Ryuta KuroraThe head of the forecast unit of the Japan Meteorological Agency told reporters.
“Maximum caution is required,” he said, urging residents to evacuate early.
“It’s a very dangerous storm.”
“The wind will be so strong that some houses may collapse,” Kurora told reporters. He also warned of floods and landslides.
Evacuation warnings call for people to move to shelter or alternative housing that can withstand extreme weather.
But they are not mandatory, and during past extreme weather events officials have struggled to persuade residents to seek shelter quickly enough.
Kuroda said residents should exercise caution even inside strong buildings.
“Please move to strong buildings before violent winds blow and stay away from windows even inside strong buildings,” he told a press conference late at night.
Japan is currently in typhoon season and experiences about 20 such storms annually, with regular heavy rains that cause landslides or flash floods.
In 2019, Typhoon Hagibis lashed Japan as it hosted the Rugby World Cup, claiming the lives of over 100 people.
A year earlier, Typhoon JB closed down Kansai Airport in Osaka, killing 14 people.
And in 2018, floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in western Japan during the country’s annual rainy season.
Prior to the arrival of Typhoon Nanmadol, flight cancellations began affecting regional airports including Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Kumamoto, according to the Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways websites.
Scientists say that climate change is increasing the severity of storms and becoming more frequent and intense due to extreme weather such as heat waves, drought and flash floods.