Japan: "Nanmadol, a Typhoon Unlike Any Experienced Before"... Entering Preparedness Mode

Typhoon Nangka No. 14 Expected Path Announcement Released by the Korea Meteorological Administration at 10 AM on the 17th. Source=Korea Meteorological Administration

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The super typhoon "Nanmadole" is expected to make landfall in southwestern Kyushu, Japan, on the 18th, prompting Japanese authorities to enter a state of preparedness.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, as of 5 p.m. on the 17th, Nanmadole is moving northwest at a speed of 20 km/h about 170 km northeast off Minamidaitojima, Okinawa Prefecture.

It is forecasted to make landfall near southern Kyushu's Kagoshima Prefecture late in the afternoon on the 18th.

At this time, Nanmadole's central pressure is 910 hPa (hectopascals), with maximum wind speeds near the typhoon's center reaching 55 m/s and maximum instantaneous wind speeds reaching 75 m/s.

The Japan Meteorological Agency stated today that this is a "dangerous typhoon unlike any experienced before," and there is a possibility that a special typhoon warning will be issued for the Kyushu region.

After making landfall in Kyushu, the typhoon is forecasted to change course northeastward and cross the Japanese archipelago.

According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government has established a "Prime Minister's Office Liaison Room" at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center to prepare for typhoon damage.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has released water from 61 dams across 12 regional local governments to prevent flood damage.

Both northern and southern Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu have also set up typhoon countermeasure headquarters.

The Kyushu Shinkansen plans to suspend operations on the Kumamoto?Kagoshima section from the first train on the 18th, and on the Hakata?Kumamoto section from noon on the same day.