Large Typhoon 13, named Dolphin, is approaching Japan's Amami region and Okinawa with strong winds and high waves. The typhoon is expected to pass north of Okinawa's main island in the afternoon after approaching the Amami region in the morning. It is forecasted to slow down and move westward across the East China Sea on the 9th, making landfall in China's central region around the 11th. According to the latest projected path, the likelihood of direct impact on the Korean Peninsula is low.
As of 8 a.m. on the 7th, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that Typhoon 13 was moving northwest at 20 km/h, approximately 50 km southeast of Okinoerabu Island in Kagoshima Prefecture. The central pressure is 950 hPa, with maximum sustained winds of 40 m/s and gusts reaching 55 m/s. Winds of 25 m/s or more are expected within 330 km northeast and 185 km southwest of the typhoon's center. At Tokunoshima Airport, a maximum gust of 41.2 m/s was recorded at 6:59 a.m.
Okinawa and Amami are forecasted to experience winds strong enough to damage some homes. The expected maximum gusts in both regions are 55 m/s, with wave heights predicted to reach 11 m in Amami and 10 m in Okinawa. Rainfall over the 24 hours until the morning of the 8th is expected to reach 200 mm in Okinawa, Amami, and southern Kyushu. Heavy rain is likely to occur in Amami until the night of the 7th and in Okinawa until the morning of the 8th, significantly increasing the risk of flooding.
With the summer vacation season underway, transportation in Okinawa has come to a standstill due to the typhoon's impact. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), all flights to and from Okinawa Prefecture were canceled on the 7th. Naha Airport terminal was closed for the entire day, and the Okinawa Urban Monorail and four bus companies on the main island suspended operations from the first train. All flights operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Solaseed Air to and from Okinawa were canceled on the 7th and 8th, while Japan Airlines (JAL) and Skymark canceled all flights on the 7th. As of the evening of the 6th, approximately 55,000 passengers on ANA and 26,000 on JAL were affected. This marks the fourth significant typhoon to disrupt transportation and socio-economic activities in Okinawa since June.
Nikkei also reported that several tourist facilities have closed. The theme park Jungle Land Okinawa suspended all operations from the 6th to the 8th, marking the first time it has closed for more than three days. Major tourist attractions, including Okinawa World, also closed on the 7th. The large hotel chain in Okinawa, Kariyushi, anticipates a revenue loss of about 15 million yen (approximately $134,460) per day. The Okinawa Tourism Promotion Agency estimates that about 80% of passengers scheduled to board canceled their trips, predicting a decrease of tens of thousands of visitors to Okinawa.
The projected path of Typhoon 13 Dolphin has shifted southward compared to previous forecasts, reducing the likelihood of the storm's impact on the Kyushu mainland. However, stronger winds are expected northeast of the typhoon, prompting caution for strong winds, high waves, and localized heavy rain along the southern and northern coasts of Kyushu. The typhoon is expected to slow down to 10-15 km/h in the East China Sea, prolonging its impact at sea.
In Kumamoto Prefecture, which suffered damage from a strong earthquake on the 28th of last month, concerns about secondary damage due to the approaching typhoon are growing. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, approximately 2,500 homes have been confirmed damaged in Yatsushiro City, where the Self-Defense Forces are deploying sandbags to secure tarps, while workers from the prefecture are covering damaged roofs with tarps. However, these tarps could be blown away by strong winds, prompting the meteorological agency to urge for securing measures. Kumamoto Prefecture is expected to be within the typhoon's influence from the 8th to the 10th. As of 6 p.m. on the 6th, the death toll from the earthquake stands at 38, with 16,425 homes reported damaged. About 6,737 people are staying in evacuation shelters, and approximately 36,880 households are still experiencing water outages as of 2 p.m. on the 6th.
According to the Asahi Shimbun, the Japan Meteorological Agency has lowered the alert thresholds for the earthquake-affected areas in Kumamoto, considering the weakened ground and confirmed subsidence in some regions. Rainfall alerts and warnings for landslides will be issued at 70% of the usual thresholds for areas with seismic intensity of 6 weak or higher, and at 80% for areas with intensity of 5 strong. The rainfall alert thresholds for six regions, including Kumamoto City and western Yatsushiro City, have also been lowered to 70% of the usual levels. In Ukishima, Hikawa Town, and western Yatsushiro City, the tsunami warning thresholds have been reduced by 20 cm compared to normal. In Kumagawa, flood information is being issued at lower water levels due to damage to levees from the earthquake.
Meanwhile, Typhoon 15, named Chan-hom, is moving north-northwest at 30 km/h near Wake Island. It is expected to approach the Pacific coast of northern Japan around the 12th. However, due to significant uncertainty in the forecast path, the Japan Meteorological Agency urges the public to stay updated on the latest typhoon information.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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