Typhoon Dujuan Leaves Four Dead in Japan

Typhoon Dujuan left four people dead in Japan after powerful winds and heavy rain battered Tokyo and surrounding prefectures. Six others remain missing, according to local reports.

The typhoon also caused major disruption across the country. Around 50,000 people lost power, while hundreds of flights were suspended. Most evacuation orders ended on Tuesday as the storm moved away from Japan’s eastern coast.

At the height of the storm on Monday, authorities warned of an imminent threat to life. They urged 1.9 million people to move to shelters.

The four deaths occurred during landslides in Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures. In Kanagawa, a woman in her 60s died after a landslide swept through her home. Rescue crews found her inside the house and confirmed her death.

In Chiba, a man in his 50s became trapped while clearing debris at a landslide site. He fell into a bamboo thicket along with heavy machinery. Rescue workers took him to hospital, but he later died.

Typhoon Disrupts Events

The typhoon brought sustained winds of 130km/h and gusts reaching 194km/h. It also disrupted events during a five-day holiday period.

The Rock in Japan music festival cancelled its Monday concerts. The Tokyo Game Show also cancelled its Monday programme.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered condolences to those who died. She also said she would continue with her planned trip to the United States.

Takaichi is due to speak at the UN General Assembly in New York. She will also meet US President Donald Trump.

Typhoon Strength and El Niño

Some research suggests Japan has become more exposed to destructive storms. However, climate change does not appear to increase the total number of these storms globally.

As temperatures rise, a typhoon that forms can become more intense. Warmer ocean waters can give storms more energy and increase wind speeds.

In addition, warmer air can hold more moisture. This can lead to heavier rainfall during storms.

El Niño also plays a role this year. The weather pattern brings warmer water to parts of the tropical Pacific. It does not have a clear effect on the total number of typhoons. However, it can affect where they form, their strength and the countries they reach.

The typhoon continues north along Japan’s Pacific coast. Authorities may not know the full extent of the damage until Tuesday.