Typhoon Jangmi slammed into Japan's Wakayama prefecture early on Wednesday, unleashing torrential rain and raising severe concerns about flooding and landslides. Japanese meteorological authorities issued their highest-level flood warnings in several regions, urging residents near rivers or in low-lying areas to seek higher ground immediately. In Tokyo, people living near the Zenpukuji River were advised to evacuate or take shelter as rising muddy waters threatened to overflow.
Storm Intensity and Path
At landfall, Jangmi carried strong winds of up to 126 km/h and moved east-northeast. Forecasters predict the storm will continue tracking eastward along the Pacific side of Japan, potentially affecting multiple regions over the coming days. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that substantial rainfall is still expected, particularly in central and eastern parts of the country.
Widespread Disruption
The storm caused significant disruption across Japan, with heavy rain bringing traffic to a standstill in parts of Tokyo. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, and rail services faced delays and suspensions. More than 5,000 homes in the greater Tokyo area lost power. Authorities issued flood alerts in several areas of central and eastern Japan after some locations recorded exceptionally high rainfall, including around 50 cm in the city of Owase over 24 hours.
Earlier Impact and Evacuations
Jangmi had earlier swept through Okinawa, where 16 people reportedly sustained minor injuries before the storm moved north and made landfall in Wakayama. Landslide alerts were issued for several areas, including the Shizuoka prefecture cities of Ito, Shimoda, and Atami, along with parts of Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures. Authorities ordered evacuations in multiple locations, such as Omaezaki in Shizuoka, Kihoku in Mie, Yokosuka in Kanagawa, Totsuka Ward in Yokohama, and the town of Otaki in Chiba. Another warning was issued for Iwaki city in Fukushima prefecture.
Rainfall Forecast and Transport Woes
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecast up to 200 mm of rain across the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions by Thursday morning, with as much as 120 mm expected in Tohoku. It warned that rainfall totals could be significantly higher in areas where linear rainbands develop. Several JR East routes were suspended from the start of the day on Wednesday, including sections of the Shonan-Shinjuku, Chuo, Ome, and Tokaido lines, with operators expecting services on some routes to resume later in the afternoon or evening. Train services on the Hachiko Line were also halted after branches became entangled in overhead power lines, according to local media reports. A number of rail routes were expected to remain closed throughout the day, including sections of the Uchibo, Sobu Main, Kashima, Sotobo, Narita, and Kururi lines. Tokyo Metro and other private railway companies warned passengers to expect additional delays and possible service suspensions as severe weather conditions persisted.
Long-Distance and Air Travel Impact
Long-distance and limited express services were heavily affected. The Narita Express and the Azusa and Kaiji services were suspended from the first departures of the day, while all trains on routes including the Odoriko, Saphir Odoriko, Shiosai, Sazanami, Wakashio, Kinugawa, Spacia Nikko, and Kusatsu/Shima services were cancelled. Air travel was similarly impacted, with around 760 domestic flights and more than 90 international flights cancelled on Wednesday, according to NHK Japan.
