JAPAN: As one of the worst storms to hit Japan in years caused at least one death, interrupted transportation, and forced some factories to halt production on Monday, typhoon Nanmadol delivered fierce gusts and record-breaking rains to some areas of the country.
According to reports in the media, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida postponed his trip to New York until Tuesday to assess the storm’s effects before giving an address at the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA).
The 14th typhoon of the season to hit Japan made landfall late on Sunday in Kagoshima, then pounded the western island of Kyushu and slammed into the main island of Honshu.
NHK footage indicated that a river in Kyushu’s Miyazaki prefecture overflowed, flooding nearby farmland and roadways. In other videos, roofs were pulled off buildings, billboards were fallen, and a riverside home was hanging over a stream.
At least 69 people were hurt, one guy died after a river swamped his automobile, and firefighters were attempting to ascertain if a man in his 40s was inside a cottage that was buried by a landslide.
Early Monday, the commerce ministry said that roughly 340,000 homes—most of them in Kyushu—lacked electricity. Kyushu Railway Co. (9142.T) also announced that it had suspended operations there, and Japan Airline Co.
As of 2:00 GMT, the storm was centered over Yamaguchi Prefecture on the westernmost tip of Honshu and was moving northeast along the north coast at a speed of about 15 kph, according to the JMA.
According to the forecast from the agency, the storm would follow the Honshu coast to the north through Tuesday before dissipating over the Pacific.
Over the following 24 hours, up to 400 mm (15.75 inches) of rain was predicted in central Japan’s Tokai area, the country’s industrial centre.
Although there were indications of minor damage to the industry, Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) was among the businesses that indicated they would halt work at some sites owing to the storm.
“We need to remain highly vigilant for heavy rains, gales, high waves and storm surges,” a representative from the Japan Meteorological Agency commented.
Also Read: Typhoon Nanmadol Approaches Japan’s Kyushu Island
