Typhoon 'Nanmadol' Approaching Japan, Special Typhoon Warning Issued for Kagoshima

Typhoon Nanmadol No. 14 Expected Path. (Source=Korea Meteorological Administration, Yonhap) [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a "special warning" for areas expected to be hit by Typhoon Nanmadol. This is the first time a special typhoon warning has been issued outside Okinawa Prefecture.

On the 18th, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued special warnings for storm, high waves, and storm surges in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, southwestern Japan. According to the agency, as of 6 a.m. that day, Nanmadol was moving north-northwest at a speed of 20 km/h, located 160 km south-southeast off Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture.

At this time, Nanmadol's central pressure is 920 hPa (hectopascals), with maximum wind speeds near the typhoon's center reaching 50 m/s and maximum instantaneous wind speeds reaching 70 m/s. A special typhoon warning is issued in advance when a typhoon with a central pressure of 930 hPa or lower and maximum wind speeds of 50 m/s or more approaches. Since Japan began operating the special typhoon warning system in 2013, it has been issued once each in Okinawa Prefecture in 2014 and 2016.

As Typhoon Nanmadol approaches, winds have strengthened mainly around Kyushu, with Kagoshima City recording a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 30.4 m/s early that morning. Due to rain clouds developed by the typhoon, Yakushima Town in Kagoshima Prefecture observed concentrated heavy rainfall of 44 mm per hour until 4 a.m.

The Japan Meteorological Agency described it as a "dangerous typhoon unlike any experienced before," urging prompt safety measures to protect lives and the highest level of vigilance.

According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government plans to hold a meeting of related ministers chaired by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo that afternoon to prepare for typhoon damage. A "Prime Minister's Office Liaison Room" has been set up at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister's Office.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism preemptively released water from 99 dams across 16 regional local governments to prevent flood damage. Since the previous day, flights in Kyushu have been canceled one after another, and the Kyushu Shinkansen has suspended operations from the first train of the day on the Kumamoto?Kagoshima section and from noon on the Hakata?Kumamoto section. Evacuation orders have been issued by local governments.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.