TOKYO. Typhoon Shanshan wreaked havoc across southwest Japan on Thursday, prompting the evacuation of millions as powerful winds and torrential rains battered the region. The storm has resulted in at least three deaths and numerous injuries, with authorities warning that this could be one of the most severe storms to hit Japan in recent history.
Toyota, along with automakers Nissan and Honda, suspended operations at all domestic plants due to the typhoon. Major semiconductor firms like Renesas, Tokyo Electron, and Rohm also temporarily halted production at some of their factories.
The storm’s ferocity was felt by many, including Tomoki Maeda, a funeral parlor employee who was caught in the typhoon while driving a hearse in Miyazaki city. “I’ve never experienced such a strong wind or tornado in my 31 years of life,” Maeda recounted to Reuters, describing the scene of shattered windows, downed power lines, and damaged buildings.
With wind speeds reaching up to 180 km/h (112 mph), the typhoon was near Unzen city in Nagasaki Prefecture by 3:00 p.m. local time and was moving northwards, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
More than 200,000 households across seven prefectures lost power, with Kyushu Electric Power Co. reporting no impact on its Sendai Nuclear Power Plant despite the storm’s landfall in Satsumasendai city. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that three people had died, one person was missing, and 45 others were injured in incidents related to the typhoon.
The storm is expected to hover over Kyushu for several days before approaching central and eastern regions, including Tokyo, over the weekend. As of now, over 5.2 million people have been issued evacuation notices, primarily in Kyushu, but also in parts of central Japan where heavy rains triggered a landslide earlier this week.
In the historic city of Hitoyoshi in Kumamoto Prefecture, hotel owner Madoka Kubo shared that all her reservations had been canceled, and she is now providing shelter to elderly evacuees from nearby areas.
The transportation sector has been heavily impacted, with nearly 800 flights canceled by airlines including ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines. Train services across many areas of Kyushu, as well as hundreds of bus and ferry services, have also been suspended.
Typhoon Shanshan follows closely on the heels of Typhoon Ampil, which also caused significant disruption in Japan earlier this month, leading to widespread blackouts and evacuations.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
