Typhoon Khanun Strikes Okinawa, Causing Severe Devastation
Typhoon Khanun, the second typhoon to hit East Asia in less than a week, has caused widespread destruction in Okinawa, Japan. The storm battered the region with huge waves, ferocious winds, and severe flooding, leaving more than 30 people injured and around 200,000 homes without power.
Okinawa, Japan’s fifth-largest island with a population of nearly 1.5 million, was hit hard by the typhoon. The Kadena Air Base, the largest U.S. installation in the Asia-Pacific region, also experienced significant damage. The storm’s strength was fueled by record-warm ocean waters, with wind gusts reaching up to 115 mph and rainfall totals expected to reach up to 8 inches.
Hundreds of flights were canceled at Okinawa’s Naha Airport, which experienced nearly 30 hours of strong winds. Scenes of wind-swept, torrential rain and widespread flooding were common throughout the region. The Stars and Stripes newspaper reported that civil staff and first responders will now assess the damage and establish safe zones, but noted that it may take some time given the strength of the typhoon.
Typhoon Khanun follows closely on the heels of Typhoon Doksuri, which caused record rainfall in eastern China, including 29.3 inches in Beijing. Typhoon Doksuri resulted in more than 20 deaths, the evacuation of at least 400,000 people, and power outages affecting over 1 million homes. The outer bands of Typhoon Khanun could bring more heavy rain to China’s eastern coast in the coming days.
As of Wednesday morning, Typhoon Khanun was approximately 114 nautical miles west of Kadena and tracking west-northwest over the East China Sea. The storm, exhibiting an unusual double-eyewall structure, is estimated to have peak winds of 115 mph, equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. While the typhoon is forecasted to weaken gradually over the next few days, it is expected to make a sharp turn towards Okinawa and nearby islands by Friday and Saturday, potentially bringing more heavy rain and wind gusts near 80 mph.
The official forecast predicts a decrease in peak winds to 80 mph by Friday, but the track forecast remains uncertain with low confidence in the three-to-five-day range.
Authorities are urging residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions as Typhoon Khanun continues to pose a threat to the region.
