15-8-2023 (OSAKA) Typhoon Lan made a forceful landfall near Cape Shionomisaki in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, during the early hours of Tuesday, the 15th of August. The typhoon brought with it fierce winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in significant disruptions to both land and air transportation systems. The severe weather conditions prompted the complete suspension of some Shinkansen trains throughout the day.
The impact of Typhoon Lan was particularly felt in the Kansai region, where over 800 flights were cancelled, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. Numerous individuals found themselves stranded at Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport due to the cancellations. Furthermore, nearly 90,000 households in central and western Honshu faced power outages as a result of the typhoon’s force.
Authorities took swift action in response to the impending disaster by issuing flood and mudslide warnings, along with non-mandatory evacuation advisories for more than 180,000 residents in various regions, including Wakayama, Kyoto, and Nara.
As Typhoon Lan reached its zenith, it carried maximum sustained winds of approximately 120 kilometers per hour. The storm’s center entered Wakayama on the previous evening, causing large waves in the region. Kyoto Prefecture experienced heavy rainfall, with Tsuruoka City recording 110 millimetres of precipitation.
The Japan Meteorological Agency expressed concerns about the likelihood of heavy rainfall in the Kanto-Koshin region, Shikoku, and western Honshu. Residents were urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant against potential landslides and river flooding.
The adverse weather conditions led to Japan’s JR railway company declaring a full suspension of a section of the Tokaido Shinkansen between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka. Additionally, a portion of the Sanyo Shinkansen that operates between Okayama and Shin-Osaka was also suspended on Tuesday. The frequency of Shinkansen services between Tokyo and Nagoya, as well as between Hakata and Okayama, experienced significant reductions.
In the aviation sector, both Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways were compelled to cancel a substantial number of flights. Japan Airlines cancelled over 250 flights, impacting around 26,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways suspended 310 flights, affecting approximately 25,000 passengers. Notably, Kansai International Airport in Osaka faced substantial challenges due to its unique location on an artificial island in Osaka Bay. The airport became an “island” of its own when railways and roads connecting it to the city center were rendered inaccessible by the storm. Approximately 650 stranded passengers were accommodated at the airport, where essential provisions such as sleeping bags and drinking water were provided to ensure their comfort during the unexpected stay.
Weather starting to get really foul now near Shingu #typhoon #Lan pic.twitter.com/WLa699XGIi
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) August 14, 2023
