Typhoon Shanshan has brought heavy rainfall and widespread disruption across Japan, leading to severe flooding and landslide warnings far from the storm’s center. The typhoon made landfall in Kyushu on Thursday, with powerful winds reaching up to 180 km/h (112 mph), strong enough to overturn vehicles.
In Fukuoka, residents took shelter as the city became eerily quiet, with shops closed and streets deserted. The disaster management agency has reported at least three deaths and 78 injuries so far. Additionally, about 125,000 households in seven prefectures were left without electricity, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co.
The typhoon’s slow progress has caused heavy rainfall far beyond its center, raising concerns of prolonged flooding and landslides. Evacuation advisories have been issued to millions across Japan, including in Kyushu and as far as Yokohama, where landslides are a growing threat.
Transportation has been severely impacted, with airlines like ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines canceling hundreds of flights. Many train, bus, and ferry services in Kyushu have also been suspended. Major companies, including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Renesas, Tokyo Electron, and Rohm, have paused production at some facilities due to the storm.
After stalling over Kyushu, Typhoon Shanshan is expected to move toward central and eastern Japan, including Tokyo, over the weekend. This storm follows Typhoon Ampil, which also caused significant damage earlier this month.
With the typhoon’s slow movement and extensive rainfall, the risk of flooding and landslides remains high across Japan. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas.
