A powerful typhoon was approaching Japan’s Pacific coast on Monday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and an increased risk of landslides across the Kanto region and other parts of eastern Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that conditions could deteriorate rapidly, with Typhoon Dujuan forecast to pass close to the Tokyo metropolitan area later on Monday.
Heavy rain has already lashed parts of the Izu Islands, Chiba Prefecture and other Pacific coastal areas, with some locations recording more than 300mm of rainfall since Saturday.
The JMA said rainfall could intensify from Monday afternoon as the typhoon draws closer to the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo and surrounding prefectures.
Authorities have warned that linear rain bands could develop over Kanto and central Japan, significantly increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides and other rain-related disasters.
These rain bands can produce extremely heavy rainfall over relatively narrow areas for several hours, a phenomenon that has become an increasing concern in Japan in recent years.
The approaching typhoon has also disrupted events at the Asian Games in central Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, with organisers postponing the equestrian eventing competition until Tuesday due to the weather threat.
Typhoon Dujuan comes amid a year of extreme weather around the world, with unusually intense rainfall, flooding and tropical cyclones reported across regions including East Asia, North America and Europe.
