Japan: Typhoon Shanshan approaching Tokyo region

Event

Typhoon Shanshan, the 13th tropical storm of the season, is approaching the Tokyo region, bringing strong winds and heavy rains. The storm is expected to make landfall on August 7 or 8, potentially near Tokyo. Wind speeds close to 140 km/h (88 mph) are expected, making Shanshan a "strong" typhoon, the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Travel disruptions are possible, including flight delays and cancelations at Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) international airports.

Context

Japan has suffered a bout of extreme weather in recent weeks, including a severe heatwave in July; temperatures up to 41°C (106°F) were recorded near Tokyo late in the month. The heatwave killed over 100 people, while tens of thousands others suffered from heatstroke. Then, in early August, heavy rain in the west killed over 200 people, damaging infrastructure and impacting transportation.

Advice

People present in the Tokyo area are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate strong winds and heavy rain (and associated disruptions), and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.