Japan is battered by downpours brought on by Tropical Storm Shanshan. Over western Japan, Tropical Storm Shanshan is making a jerky turn towards the east. Record-breaking rainfall is being experienced nationwide, and forecasters predict that the downpours may continue into the weekend.
Shanshan was crossing Kochi Prefecture in the Shikoku region at 15 kilometers per hour as of Saturday morning. Long stretches of intense rain—400 millimeters in 48 hours in some places—have been brought on by the storm. The number is an all-time high.
There are mudslide alerts in place for multiple prefectures. Officials from the Meteorological Agency predict significant rainfall through Saturday in eastern and western Japan. In addition, they are alerting people to flooding and overflowing rivers.
At least six fatalities and more than 120 injuries are attributed to Shanshan nationwide.
When the storm’s rains caused an avalanche of mud to crash into a house in Aichi Prefecture, three people lost their lives. Two survivors were retrieved by rescuers from the debris.
In Tokushima Prefecture, another man in his 80s perished when the roof of his home collapsed on top of him.
After checking on a swollen river in the town of Chikujo, Fukuoka Prefecture, an 80-year-old man vanished. Later, his body was discovered downstream.
On Saturday, the Tokaido Shinkansen between Nagoya and Osaka is expected to operate. However, the operator reports that there will be no service between Tokyo and Nagoya at least until the morning.
Major airlines have also announced that they will be canceling a lot of flights on Saturday, including All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines. Passengers are being asked to verify the most recent information.
