BTN News: As Japan prepares to welcome back thousands of travelers during the Obon holiday season, a powerful force of nature is threatening to disrupt the carefully orchestrated return of holidaymakers. On Thursday, August 15, Japanese transportation operators announced a series of major cancellations and delays across the country’s extensive rail and air networks, directly attributable to the impending approach of Typhoon Ampil. This ominous development comes at a critical time, as millions of people are poised to make their return journeys from rural areas back to urban centers like Tokyo, coinciding with the anticipated peak of the holiday travel period.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has raised the alarm, warning of the severe impact that Typhoon Ampil could have on the region. The agency highlighted the heightened risks of landslides, river overflows, flooding in low-lying areas, and the potential for dangerously strong winds and rough seas. Despite indications that the typhoon’s likelihood of making landfall has decreased, the threat it poses remains substantial, leading transportation operators to proactively suspend services to ensure public safety.
In a press conference broadcasted by NHK, a JMA spokesperson emphasized the need for increased vigilance, urging the public to take precautions in light of the potential dangers posed by the typhoon. “We want to step up our monitoring,” the spokesperson remarked, underscoring the agency’s commitment to closely tracking Ampil’s movements.
Among the most significant disruptions are the anticipated impacts on Japan’s world-renowned rail system. JR East, a major railway company, has announced that a portion of its Shinkansen bullet train services will be suspended throughout Friday. This includes 20 services on the Tohoku, Joetsu, Hokuriku, and Yamagata lines. Additionally, the company has cautioned that further suspensions and delays could affect the Hokuriku and Akita Shinkansen lines depending on the evolving weather conditions.
Meanwhile, JR Central has taken the precaution of halting operations on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Nagoya, a critical artery for travelers between the capital and central Japan. Anticipating an increased number of travelers looking to beat the storm, JR Central also introduced special train services on Thursday, encouraging those able to do so to advance their travel plans.
Japan’s air travel sector is equally impacted, with Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA), the country’s two largest airlines, collectively canceling hundreds of flights. These cancellations primarily affect flights scheduled for Friday and are centered around the busy Haneda and Narita airports, which serve the Tokyo metropolitan area. The airlines are taking no chances as they prepare for the worst of the typhoon’s impact to coincide with the height of the Obon return rush.
Ampil, the seventh typhoon of the Pacific season, is advancing from the southeast towards Japan. As of 12:45 PM local time on Thursday, it was positioned approximately 260 kilometers southeast of Aogashima, a remote island in the Izu archipelago south of Tokyo. With a forward speed of 20 kilometers per hour and central atmospheric pressure of 970 hPa, Ampil is generating wind gusts of up to 180 kilometers per hour, posing a serious threat to life and property.
Meteorological forecasts suggest that Ampil will continue to bring severe weather to eastern and northeastern regions of Japan through Saturday. These areas are expected to experience heavy rainfall, potentially exacerbating the risks of flooding and landslides. The Japan Coast Guard has also issued advisories for large vessels to either leave Tokyo Bay or refrain from entering it, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In terms of rainfall, the JMA predicts that up to 150 millimeters of rain could fall in the Kanto-Koshin region, which includes Tokyo, by 6:00 AM local time on Friday. The Tokai region, located in central Japan, could see up to 100 millimeters, while the Tohoku region to the northeast is expected to receive around 80 millimeters. Looking ahead to the following 24-hour period leading into Saturday morning, rainfall totals are expected to rise dramatically, with up to 300 millimeters forecasted for Kanto-Koshin, and up to 120 millimeters for Tokai and Tohoku.
As Japan braces for the impact of Typhoon Ampil, the country’s transportation network is on high alert. Authorities are urging the public to stay informed, take necessary precautions, and, if possible, adjust travel plans to avoid the worst of the storm. With the safety of millions of travelers hanging in the balance, the coming days will test Japan’s resilience in the face of nature’s fury.
