Typhoon Shanshan warns millions to flee Japan
Special typhoon warnings are issued for extraordinarily powerful storms, with Shanshan's warning following a similar alert for Typhoon Nanmadol in September 2022, which was the first such warning for a region other than Okinawa.
Japan has issued its highest-level alert to over five million people following one of the strongest typhoons to strike the country in decades.
Typhoon Shanshan has caused significant damage, with at least four confirmed deaths and more than 90 injuries.
The storm, which has left hundreds of thousands without power, made landfall in the south-western part of Japan.
The level five alert, applicable to parts of Kyushu, the southern island, instructs residents to take immediate life-saving actions such as relocating to safer areas or seeking higher ground within their homes.
In other regions, people have been advised to evacuate.
After making landfall, Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a severe tropical storm and is now moving north-east, bringing heavy rain and causing major disruptions to transportation.
It struck Kagoshima prefecture in Kyushu at approximately 08:00 local time on Thursday (23:00 GMT Wednesday).
The typhoon has caused extensive damage, including destroyed buildings, shattered windows, uprooted trees, and overturned vehicles.
Earlier in the week, ahead of the storm's arrival, a landslide in central Japan resulted in the deaths of three family members—a couple in their 70s and a man in his 30s—while two other relatives were rescued.
On Thursday, a fourth fatality was reported: an 80-year-old man from Tokushima prefecture died after being trapped when a house roof collapsed.
Despite rescue efforts, he passed away in hospital. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) recorded 110mm of rainfall in the area at the time of the incident.
The JMA has issued a "special warning" for the most severe storms, highlighting risks of landslides, flooding, and widespread damage.
Winds of up to 252 km/h (157 mph) have been recorded on Kyushu. Evacuation orders are primarily in place for the southern island, with some also affecting central Japan.
Online footage shows severe weather effects including large trees swaying, roof tiles being blown off, and debris being thrown into the air.
Major car manufacturers such as Toyota and Nissan have halted production at their plants due to safety concerns and potential supply chain disruptions.
Hundreds of flights to and from southern Japan have been cancelled, and some high-speed train services have been suspended. The JMA predicts that the storm will continue to move across Japan over the weekend, potentially reaching Tokyo.
Special typhoon warnings are issued for extraordinarily powerful storms, with Shanshan's warning following a similar alert for Typhoon Nanmadol in September 2022, which was the first such warning for a region other than Okinawa.
Shanshan follows Typhoon Ampil, which caused minor injuries and damage but also led to significant flight and train disruptions.
Additionally, northern Japan experienced record rainfall earlier this month due to Tropical Storm Maria.
A recent study indicates that typhoons in the region are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and persisting longer over land due to climate change.
