Japan Storm Update: Typhoon Shanshan severely impacts air and high-speed train services

Typhoon Shanshan, a powerful storm with gusts of up to 216 km per hour, is causing severe disruption in southern Japan as it approaches the Amami Archipelago. The typhoon brought heavy rains and severe weather conditions, causing severe travel disruptions.

Bullet train service between Hamamatsu and Toyohashi was temporarily suspended due to heavy rain on Tuesday morning, but resumed soon after . However, other parts of the high-speed rail network and local trains have faced delays, Central Japan Railway and West Japan Railway said.

Operators have warned that further cancellations or suspensions of high-speed train services could occur later this week depending on the path of the typhoon. Air travel has also been hit hard. Japan Airlines announced the cancellation of 116 domestic flights on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as six international flights.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced the cancellation of 68 domestic flights from Wednesday to Friday due to the impact of the storm . The typhoon prompted airlines to adjust their schedules, particularly affecting flights to and from Kagoshima and the Amami Islands, as well as Osaka Airport.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued severe weather warnings, forecasting up to 400 millimeters ( 15.7 inches) of rain on Amami Island over the next 24 hours and up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) in the Kyushu region from Wednesday to Thursday. The agency urged residents to be alert for strong winds, high waves, landslides, flooding in low-lying areas and potential river overflows.

Wind speeds are expected to reach 90 miles in hour in southern Kyushu and the Amami region starting Tuesday, and could increase to 110 mph by Wednesday. Despite the severity of the weather, no significant damage has been reported so far.

The impact of Typhoon Shanshan resulted in widespread transport disruptions, affecting both flights and high-speed trains. Travelers are advised to check the status of their services and be aware of possible delays and cancellations as the storm progresses.

The region experienced three tropical storms between May and July, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , two typhoons and one major typhoon. By comparison, the average number of these weather events during the same period from 1991 to 2020 typically included about eight tropical storms, four typhoons and two major typhoons.

Source: timesofindia