Japan is facing severe repercussions from the strongest typhoon of the year, Typhoon Shanshan, which has made landfall in the country’s southwest, bringing winds of up to 252 km/h and heavy rain. The meteorological agency has issued a rare special typhoon warning for most parts of Kagoshima prefecture in southern Kyushu. The storm is moving slowly, posing a high risk of major damage, such as landslides and flooding.
In response, residents have been urged to evacuate high-risk areas, with reports of fatalities and injuries already emerging. Automakers like Toyota have suspended production, and airlines have cancelled thousands of flights, affecting about 25,000 people. Typhoon Shanshan comes after Typhoon Ampil disrupted transportation earlier this month, indicating an increased frequency of extreme weather events in the region.
The climate crisis is exacerbating the impact of these storms, with studies showing that typhoons are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying rapidly, and lingering longer due to warming oceans. Human-caused climate breakdown has led to more intense and destructive tropical cyclones, with extreme rainfall and higher storm surges causing widespread damage.
Japan has only issued special typhoon warnings three times in the past, highlighting the severity of the situation. The slow-moving nature of Typhoon Shanshan is expected to result in extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. As the country grapples with the aftermath of this devastating typhoon, it is evident that urgent action is needed to address the effects of climate change on extreme weather events.
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