Image Credits-www.asahi.com
Typhoon No. 7, known as “Zabaan,” is moving north with very strong force and is expected to approach the Kanto region tonight, causing widespread disruptions across Japan as the summer travel season comes to an end. The typhoon has already led to significant flight cancellations and is affecting major events in Hokkaido.
At New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, 114 flights connecting to Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita Airports were canceled on the 16th, leaving many passengers stranded. Hokkaido Airport officials confirmed the cancellations, and some travelers have been scrambling to find alternative routes.
One passenger, who had been trying to return to Tokyo, shared his situation: “I can’t return to Tokyo, so I’m currently on the waiting list for a flight to Sendai. Out of the five of us, two got on the 10:00 AM flight, and three got on the 11:00 AM flight. It looks like we’ll be able to leave Hokkaido. At least we can get to Sendai, and from there, we’ll figure out a way by land.”
Meanwhile, at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, travelers who were unable to fly are turning to the train to reach Honshu. A passenger bound for Tokyo stated, “I originally had a 9:00 AM flight, but it got canceled, so I looked for a Shinkansen, and now I’m going to take that.”
The typhoon is also impacting major events in the region. In Hokkaido, the “Rising Sun Rock Festival,” one of the largest music festivals in the area, began on the 16th at Ishikari Bay New Port. However, due to flight cancellations, some artists have announced they will not be able to perform, disappointing many attendees.
As Typhoon No. 7 continues to move north, it is expected to approach the Kanto region tonight, with further disruptions to flights and other activities likely to continue into tomorrow. The situation remains fluid as the country braces for the storm’s impact.