As Typhoon Lan looms, Japan issues mass evacuations and cancels over 900 flights: Reports

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
·2 min read
1

As Typhoon Lan reaches the western parts of the Japan, evacuation warnings have been issued to more than 237,000 people throughout 11 prefectures, according to the nation's fire and disaster management agency.

All commercial flights flying out of Chubu, Kansai and Nagoya airports were suspended Tuesday, totaling over 950 canceled throughout the country, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism told CNN. This includes the suspensions of all Japan Airlines and all Nippon Airlines (ANA) flights.

The typhoon, coming from the Pacific Ocean, reached land early Tuesday morning near Shionomisaki in the Wakayama prefecture with winds at about 160 kilometers, or 100 miles, per hour, which is equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

Other typhoon: Typhoon Khanun slams Japan's southern islands

Flood, landslide warnings issued as Typhoon Lan makes landfall

Police and fire officials said at least 26 people have been injured in five prefectures across western Japan, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. As of noon Tuesday, two injuries were reported in Shiga, three in Kyoto, three in Wakayama, seven in Hyogo and 11 in Osaka.

For two towns in the Tottori and Okayama prefectures, severe rainfall that spanned hours on Tuesday surpassed the average for all of August with the Kagamino town in Okayama recording 461.5 millimeters (18 inches) and Tottori city recording 483 millimeters (19 inches) of rainfall, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Officials issued flood and landslide warnings as rivers rose above buildings and bridges washed away, according to Reuters. Tornadoes also formed in several areas without causing major damage.

The center of the storm arrived near the Sea of Japan by evening, having weakened to tropical storm strength while still posing risk of concentrated rains, forecasters told Reuters.

Japan continues to grapple with severe weather as Tyhpoon Khanun impacted the southwestern portion of the nation in early August. In July, heavy rainfall killed at least six people while parts of the country faced a severe heat wave with temperatures above 102 Fahrenheit, CNN reported.

Pedestrians try to shield from wind and rain as they cross the street in front of Osaka Station on August 15, 2023, as Tropical Storm Lan hit the main island of Honshu overnight.
Pedestrians try to shield from wind and rain as they cross the street in front of Osaka Station on August 15, 2023, as Tropical Storm Lan hit the main island of Honshu overnight.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Typhoon Lan hits Japan, evacuation warnings issued for 237,000 people