The 10th typhoon 'Sansan,' predicted to be the strongest typhoon in history, made landfall on Kyushu, Japan, on the morning of the 29th. Moving slowly along the Japanese archipelago, record-breaking heavy rain exceeding 1000mm is expected to pour over southern Kyushu. Currently, evacuation orders have been issued to approximately 2.25 million people.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon Sansan made landfall around 8 a.m. on that day in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, and is advancing northeast at a speed of 15 km/h.
The central pressure of the typhoon is 955 hPa (hectopascal), with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 40 m/s and maximum instantaneous wind speeds reaching 60 m/s. In southern Kyushu, maximum instantaneous wind speeds of up to 70 m/s are expected that day. This indicates winds strong enough to destroy houses.
The maximum expected rainfall over 24 hours until 6 a.m. the next day is 600 mm in southern Kyushu, 400 mm in northern Kyushu, and 400 mm in Shikoku. Accordingly, the total rainfall in southern Kyushu is estimated to exceed 1000 mm.
A meteorological agency official told the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, "(The typhoon's strength) is at the strongest level," and explained that a special heavy rain warning could be issued for southern Kyushu, including Miyazaki Prefecture. The previous day, the meteorological agency issued a special storm warning for Kagoshima Prefecture, warning of potential major disasters. The issuance of a special warning due to a typhoon is the first in about two years since Typhoon 'Nanmadol' in September 2022.
Locally, concerns are rising about the prolonged effects due to the slow movement of Typhoon No. 10, which is only moving at 15 km/h. The total rainfall and disaster damage caused by the typhoon are also expected to last that long. Ahead of the typhoon's landfall, evacuation orders were issued to approximately 1.13 million households, totaling about 2.25 million people, in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto prefectures in southern Kyushu. Toyota Motor Corporation halted operations at all 14 vehicle assembly plants in Japan starting the previous evening.
Casualties are also being confirmed one after another. Public broadcaster NHK reported that by 6 a.m. that day, a total of 39 people were injured in Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, and one person was missing in Kagoshima Prefecture. In Kamagori City, Aichi Prefecture, three people died and two were injured due to a landslide.
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have decided to cancel more than 600 flights in total. The Kyushu Shinkansen and Sanyo Shinkansen will suspend operations in some areas starting that day. The Tokaido Shinkansen is also considering suspending operations from the 30th to the 1st of next month.
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