NAHA - A large and strong Typhoon No. 13 is expected to strike Okinawa's main island on August 7 and continue affecting the region through August 8, disrupting flights and ferries just as Japan's peak Obon holiday travel period begins.
The slow-moving storm was forecast to make its closest approach to Okinawa's main island on August 7, bringing violent winds, heavy rain and dangerous seas. Strong winds and rain were already affecting surrounding areas, with wind-driven rain reported in Amami, Kagoshima Prefecture.
For some travelers, the Obon holiday will begin on August 8 and extend for as many as nine consecutive days. The typhoon's arrival immediately before the holiday has already caused widespread transportation and tourism disruptions.
All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines canceled a combined 100 flights on August 6, primarily on routes serving Okinawa and Kagoshima. Cancellations and other disruptions on August 7 and August 8 were expected to affect about 75,000 passengers in total.
Ferry and air services serving Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture were also canceled. One lodging facility on the island received cancellations covering about 200 guests over the three days beginning August 5.
"Fifty percent, half of the bookings have been canceled," hotel manager Katsushi Hirata said. "August is the peak earning season for the hotel, so this is a very serious blow."
Typhoon No. 13 was expected to maintain its large size and strong intensity as it moved across Okinawa. Because the storm was traveling slowly, severe weather was forecast to continue through August 8.
The typhoon could also generate linear rainbands around Okinawa's main island and the Daito Islands, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Maximum gusts of 55 meters per second were forecast in Okinawa on August 7 and August 8, strong enough to topple utility poles and damage or collapse homes.
The Daito Islands had already entered the storm's violent-wind zone on August 6, with warnings issued for destructive winds and high waves.
Rain and strengthening winds were also forecast in earthquake-hit Kumamoto from August 7, with rainfall expected from August 8 into the beginning of the following week. Because the ground has been loosened by the recent earthquake, even limited rain could trigger landslides or other damage.
A second storm, Typhoon No. 15, formed on August 5, leaving two typhoons near Japan ahead of the Obon holiday.
Typhoon No. 15 could approach northern Japan on August 11. However, its forecast area remained broad, indicating substantial uncertainty over its eventual path.
The storm could move toward the Pacific coast between Hokkaido and the Kanto region, potentially affecting transportation during the holiday period. Its track and timing could still change significantly.
Although much of eastern and western Japan was expected to receive periods of sunshine during the holiday, unstable atmospheric conditions could produce sudden showers and thunderstorms, particularly in inland and mountainous areas.
Travelers were urged to monitor the latest forecasts and transportation information as the two typhoons threaten to cause further disruptions during one of Japan's busiest annual travel periods.
Source: TBS
