Japanese Islands Struck by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as Typhoon Nakri moved across the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Immediate Impact on Hachijojima Island
Local authorities on Hachijojima reported disruption and damage to about 220 homes after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, infrastructure damaged, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the group of islands. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in Kanagawa prefecture, three fishermen were carried off by waves, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
The Evolution of Nakri
Nakri has since transitioned into an non-tropical storm system, weakening as it moved eastwards over chilled northern Pacific seas, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remnants are on track to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Recalling Halong's Fury
A week earlier, Halong discharged over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By the late morning of the previous Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, shattering the 24-hour record. The typhoon’s remnants then crossed the north Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. A single fatality occurred, homes were destroyed, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. The state underwent an historic mass evacuation by air to evacuate displaced residents. Halong remains among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its rapid intensification was driven by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation faced two consecutive hits last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond combined, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across the central and eastern areas. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The first deluge from Priscilla left the ground saturated, worsening floods as Raymond approached. Over 300 localities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. As of Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with standing water causing health worries in remote zones.
