Image credit:The New York Times
Typhoon Ampil has slammed into Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall, prompting widespread evacuations and major disruptions across the region. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has classified Ampil as a “very strong” typhoon, with wind speeds of up to 216 kilometers per hour, threatening coastal areas with severe flooding and landslides.
As of Friday evening, the typhoon was positioned approximately 140 kilometers southeast of Choshi in Chiba, moving north-northeast at a pace of 15 kilometers per hour. Though not expected to make direct landfall, Ampil is forecast to unleash dangerous conditions across eastern Japan, particularly in the Kanto region.
Local authorities have issued evacuation orders affecting thousands of residents in Chiba Prefecture and neighboring areas. More than 18,000 people in Mobara have been told to evacuate, while additional evacuation orders have been enforced in Fukushima Prefecture. In total, nearly 350,000 residents have been urged to seek shelter.
The storm has paralyzed Japan’s transportation networks. More than 900 flights were canceled at Narita and Haneda airports, while train services, including the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nagoya, were suspended. Several local rail lines have either stopped operations or reduced schedules, leaving thousands of travelers stranded during the Bon holiday travel season.
The typhoon also caused widespread power outages, affecting over 2,500 households across the region. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with concerns mounting over potential landslides and flooding in low-lying areas.
Ampil continues to track northward, the JMA has urged residents to stay indoors and remain vigilant. The storm is expected to weaken as it curves out to sea on Saturday, but its impact is expected to be felt through the weekend, with further disruptions likely.