Typhoon Etau slams into Japanese mainland

TOKYO, Japan – Typhoon Etau slammed into Japan on Wednesday, September 9, bringing torrential rain and heavy winds that prompted evacuation orders and brought dozens of flights and train services to a halt.

Japan’s weather agency said the storm, packing winds of up to 125 kilometers per hour (78 miles per hour) landed in central Aichi prefecture shortly after 10 am local time (0100 GMT). 

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a warning over floods and landslides on the country’s main Honshu island.

Television footage showed cars sloshing through flooded streets and houses submerged due to heavy rains, as pedestrians waded through water that reached to their knees.

In Mie prefecture, authorities ordered more than 10,000 residents to evacuate due to the risk of landslides, public broadcaster NHK reported.

The typhoon also disrupted air traffic, with at least 25 flights cancelled by Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, Jiji Press new agency said, while select rail services were delayed.

The storm was expected to weaken as it moves out into the Sea of Japan (East Sea) by the end of the day.

Last month, powerful Typhoon Goni hit Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu, leaving at least one person missing who was later found dead, more than 70 others injured and disrupting rail and flight services. 

More than 600,000 people were advised to evacuate ahead of the storm. – Rapler.com