Tokyo, Sep 21: Typhoon Dujuan, the season’s 25th typhoon, approached Japan’s Pacific coast on Monday, bringing torrential rain and violent winds and raising the risk of floods and landslides across eastern parts of the country.
The storm was forecast to pass close to the Tokyo metropolitan area later in the day, prompting authorities to urge residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert to evacuation information and avoid travelling through areas at risk of flooding or landslides.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that weather conditions could deteriorate rapidly as the typhoon moves closer to the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo and surrounding prefectures.
“Conditions could deteriorate rapidly as Typhoon Dujuan, the season’s 25th, was forecast to pass close to the Tokyo metropolitan area later in the day,” the JMA said.
Heavy rain had already drenched the Izu Islands and parts of Japan’s Pacific coast, with some locations recording more than 300 mm of rainfall since Saturday.
Authorities issued the highest-level landslide emergency warning for Oshima in the Izu Islands, located about 110 km south of Tokyo.
The JMA said downpours could intensify from Monday afternoon as the typhoon approaches Kanto.
“Downpours could intensify from Monday afternoon as the typhoon nears the Kanto region,” the agency said.
Authorities also warned that linear rain bands could develop over Kanto and central Japan, sharply increasing the risk of flash floods and other rain-related disasters.
“Linear rain bands could form over Kanto and central Japan, sharply raising the risk of flash floods and other rain-related disasters,” the JMA said.
The approaching storm has also disrupted scheduled events. Organisers at the Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture postponed the equestrian eventing competition until Tuesday due to the adverse weather.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s departure for New York to attend the UN General Assembly was also delayed by four hours because of the storm.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds were expected to disrupt transport and affect daily life in several areas as the typhoon moves closer to Japan’s eastern coast.
“People in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert to evacuation information and avoid travelling through areas at risk of flooding or landslides,” authorities said.
The storm comes amid a year of extreme weather events worldwide, with unusually intense rainfall, flooding and tropical cyclones reported across parts of East Asia, North America and Europe.
