Typhoon Shanshan moves closer to Japan’s coast; rains, winds cause flight and rail disruptions

The JMA has forecast up to 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) of rainfall on the Amami island over the next 24 hours and up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) in the Kyushu region from Wednesday to Thursday. It has also urged people to remain vigilant regarding strong winds, high waves, landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and river inundation. Winds of up to 90 mph were forecast in southern Kyushu and the Amami region starting Tuesday, and could increase to 110 mph Wednesday, according to New York Times. However, so far, no damage has been reported.

Transportation services, including flights and high-speed trains, were impacted due to rains and winds. Japan Airlines has canceled 118 domestic flights, primarily serving Kagoshima and the Amami Islands, as well as six international flights, as of Tuesday morning, with more delays and cancellations expected through the week. All Nippon Airlines, the country’s largest airline, said that the storm was expected to affect some flights at Osaka airport.

Japan Railway companies that operate Shinkansen super-express trains said services may be suspended in Kyushu, Japan’s main southern island, as well as large parts of the main island of Honshu between Wednesday and Sunday.

Between May and July, the region saw three tropical storms, two typhoons and one major typhoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The average for that period between 1991 and 2020 is about eight tropical storms, about four typhoons and two major typhoons.