Flights Scrapped, Evacuations Urged as Typhoon Dujuan Nears Japan

Tokyo: Japan faced major weather disruptions on Monday as Typhoon Dujuan approached the Pacific coast, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and a heightened risk of flooding and landslides across eastern parts of the country.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned residents in the Kanto region, the Izu Islands and parts of the Tokai and Tohoku regions to remain on high alert. Authorities particularly cautioned about landslides, swollen rivers, flooding in low-lying areas and dangerous coastal waves.

More than 1.6 million urged to evacuate

More than 1.6 million people in and around the Tokyo metropolitan area were under evacuation advisories, according to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The advisories were not mandatory, but authorities urged residents in vulnerable areas to take precautions and move to safer locations when necessary.

A Level 5 emergency landslide warning, Japan's highest warning level, was issued for Oshima in the Izu Islands. The JMA said it was extremely likely that landslides had already occurred in parts of the area and urged residents to move away from cliffs and streams or to higher floors if travelling to an evacuation centre posed additional danger.

Hundreds of flights cancelled

The approaching storm caused widespread disruption to Japan's transport network. Japan Airlines cancelled 120 domestic and 15 international flights, while All Nippon Airways cancelled 140 domestic flights, according to reports.

Rail services were also affected, with operators suspending some services in Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures.

More than 9,000 households near Tokyo were also without power as the storm affected the region.

Heavy rainfall raises flood and landslide concerns

Dujuan was accompanied by intense rainfall across the Izu Islands and Kanto region. More than 300 mm of rain had already fallen in some locations since Saturday, according to Reuters.

The JMA warned that rainfall could intensify as the storm moved closer to Kanto. Authorities were also monitoring the possibility of linear rain bands, which can produce extremely heavy rainfall over a concentrated area and increase the risk of flash floods and landslides.

The Japan Times reported that Izu Oshima recorded 565 mm of rain in the 24 hours through early Monday afternoon, while parts of Chiba recorded nearly 280 mm during the same period. Further rainfall of up to 250 mm was forecast for parts of the Tokai and Kanto regions and the Izu Islands.

Events and travel disrupted

The storm also disrupted major events. The Tokyo Game Show cancelled its Monday programme, while an Asian Games equestrian event in Aichi Prefecture was postponed because of the weather.

Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flooded roads and avoid underground facilities where rapidly rising water could become dangerous.

Japan remains on high alert

As Typhoon Dujuan moved toward eastern Japan, authorities continued to monitor the storm closely. The immediate concerns were extreme rainfall, flooding, landslides, strong winds and high waves, particularly in vulnerable coastal and mountainous areas.

Residents in affected regions have been advised to follow evacuation information from local authorities and take action early if conditions become dangerous.