Japan Orders Evacuation of One Million Amid Two Approaching Typhoons
As two tropical typhoons approach Japan simultaneously, officials have issued evacuation orders or recommendations for around one million residents. The move comes in response to increased risks of landslides, flooding, and river overflows. Meanwhile, widespread disruptions have been reported across air and land transportation networks.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, over 200 flights have been canceled, dozens of train services suspended, and several highways closed due to adverse weather conditions. Automotive manufacturer Toyota has temporarily halted operations at one of its factories on Kyushu Island in southern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the seasonal rain front, combined with the warm and humid air from typhoons “Mekkhala” and “Higos,” has caused heavy rainfall over wide areas in western Japan. The agency noted that the simultaneous presence of these systems could increase rainfall volume and heighten the risks of landslides and flooding.
Typhoon Mekkhala, which has weakened from a typhoon to a tropical storm, passed near Taiwan on Friday and moved past the southern Ryukyu Islands, expected to approach western and eastern parts of Japan by Saturday. Meanwhile, Typhoon Higos is also approaching the eastern coast of Japan and is likely to make landfall.
In Taiwan, heavy rains associated with these systems have disrupted daily life. Government offices and schools in three southern regions—Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Tainan—have been closed, and part of the main north-south railway line on the island is out of service.
In Hsinchu City, home to semiconductor manufacturer TSMC, offices and schools closed from Friday noon. TSMC stated that its factories are operating normally and have taken necessary measures to cope with the heavy rainfall.
Reports indicate that about six million people live in the four affected regions of Taiwan, with some rural areas of Pingtung experiencing nearly one meter of rainfall since Thursday. Despite the heavy rains, there have been no reports of human casualties so far. However, local authorities in Hualien County have preemptively evacuated nearly 200 residents from two downstream areas of a natural dam lake as a precautionary measure.
