Typhoon Maria Threatens Japan, Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds Expected
A typhoon heading north toward Japan has prompted the archipelago to issue high alerts, fearing a major earthquake following a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck off the coast of southern Japan’s Kyushu four days ago.
According to Jiji News, Typhoon No. 5 Maria made landfall near Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, at around 8:30 AM on that day. It is expected to pass through the Tohoku region in northeastern Honshu that night and then exit toward the Sea of Japan off Akita Prefecture.
A heavy rainfall band is likely to occur in Aomori, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures this morning, leading to river overflows, flooding of low-lying areas, and landslides.
Maria was moving northwest at 15 km/h near Ofunato City at 9:00 AM on the 12th. The central pressure was 990 hPa, the maximum wind speed was 25 m/s, and the maximum instantaneous wind speed was 35 m/s.
In Ofunato City, a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 27.3 m/s was observed at 8:20 a.m. on that day, and in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 21.5 m/s was observed at 6:15 a.m.
In Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, rainfall reached 368.5 mm in one day as of 7:20 a.m. on the 12th, and 467.5 mm in two days as of 9:40 a.m., breaking records for the highest rainfall ever observed.
The typhoon is expected to develop into a tropical depression in the sea west of the Tsugaru Strait on the morning of the 13th.
Strong winds and rain have caused record rainfall in Iwate Prefecture, leading to evacuation orders for many municipalities.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his intention to take emergency measures in the event of a disaster. He had originally planned to visit Central Asia but canceled the trip due to the earthquake.