The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued evacuation advisories for nearly 200,000 residents in western Japan due to heavy rainfall and potential landslides, exacerbated by the remnants of Typhoon Kong-rey. The city of Matsuyama has urged 189,552 residents across 10 districts to evacuate immediately. While these advisories are not mandatory, they indicate a high likelihood of disasters such as landslides and floods.
The JMA reports that warm, moist air associated with the downgraded extratropical system is causing significant rainfall and thunderstorms in western Japan, with expectations of the severe weather moving eastward by Sunday. This has led to disruptions in transportation, including brief suspensions of Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Fukuoka.
Typhoon Kong-rey previously impacted Taiwan, resulting in at least two fatalities and widespread power outages. The storm’s remnants continue to affect the region, highlighting the increasing risks posed by heavy rainfall events, which scientists attribute to climate change and a warmer atmosphere’s capacity to hold more moisture.
