Tropical Storm Shanshan: Shanshan nears Tokyo: Tropical storm forces thousands to evacuate, six dead in Japan

Thousands of people have been asked to evacuate Tokyo as tropical storm Shanshan continues its northward march across Japan. Since making landfall as a typhoon on Thursday, Shanshan has caused the deaths of six people and left dozens injured, becoming one of the most powerful storms to hit the country’s southwest in decades, reported the Independent.
An 80-year-old man and a man who was trapped under a fallen roof are the latest to be reported dead due to the storm while three people were killed in landslides.The storm is moving slowly northeast at a speed of 10km/h and is expected to reach Tokyo by the weekend.

Record rainfall and river warnings in Tokyo
The storm made its way to Central Japan on Saturday after wreaking havoc near Kunisaki in Oita Prefecture the previous day, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 72km/h and gusts reaching up to 108km/h. Some areas have already experienced record rainfall, leading to concerns over flooding and swollen rivers.
Three rivers in Tokyo namely Meguro, Nogawa, and Sengawa are under a Level 4 warning issued by the weather agency. Several train lines are still affected and many cities remain under emergency alerts.
Travel disruptions and preemptive measures
Shanshan has caused significant travel disruptions in Japan. Dozens of flights have been cancelled and airlines are organising alternative flights for stranded passengers. In the southwest of the country, the storm left behind a broken bridge, as well as layers of mud and branches scattered on roads.
The Tokaido bullet train service was halted between Nagoya and Mishima as the area is projected to be most affected by the storm. Other local trains are also running on delayed schedules.
Local authorities had preemptively shut down large parts of the island of Kyushu, warning that the storm could be one of the strongest ever to hit the region. As Shanshan made landfall on the southwestern island of Kyushu early on Thursday, it brought winds gusting up to almost 200 km/h.
Storm continues to impact central Japan
Shanshan made its way into central Japan on Saturday. It resulted in the halting of trains and leaving underground passages brimming with water. Officials warned of torrential rains in major cities, including Osaka and Tokyo.
The storm, packing winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour, crawled past the southwestern island of Shikoku and travelled over the southern part of the main Honshu island at a speed of 15 km/ph by late afternoon. It is forecast to affect parts of Japan through Sunday and Monday, although its exact route remains uncertain.
Ongoing effects of Shanshan despite weakening
Initially categorised as a typhoon, Shanshan made landfall on Thursday. Although it has weakened, the slow movement of the storm means that intense rainfall has persisted over a broad area for extended periods.
Despite weakening to a tropical storm, Shanshan has continued to bring strong winds, high waves, and heavy rainfall as it moves northeast. With the storm expected to affect Tokyo over the weekend, authorities remain on high alert.
Local authorities had warned residents of the approaching storm’s potential severity, prompting actions such as shutting down large parts of Kyushu ahead of Shanshan’s landfall.