The Japanese government has issued evacuation orders for residents in the eastern regions of the country as Typhoon Ampil, classified as "very strong" by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), approaches the coast. This severe weather event has led to significant disruptions across various sectors.
Typhoon Ampil, which reached the Pacific coast of Japan's main island at 3 pm local time on Friday, is expected to make landfall in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, by the evening. With wind speeds reaching up to 45 meters per second and gusts up to 60 meters per second (216 km/h or 134 mph), the JMA has issued warnings about the potential for severe damage. The agency has rated Ampil as "very strong," the second highest of its three-category system, just below "violent."
In preparation for the typhoon's arrival, Japanese authorities have urged tens of thousands of people to evacuate from high-risk areas. In Iwaki City, located in Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan, an evacuation order has been issued for approximately 323,000 residents due to anticipated heavy rainfall through Saturday morning. Similarly, Mobara City in Chiba Prefecture, situated east of Tokyo, has ordered about 18,500 residents to evacuate. Many other cities have also opened special evacuation centers and are advising voluntary evacuations.
The impact of Typhoon Ampil has been extensive. The Kanto region, including the capital Tokyo, has experienced widespread power outages, with over 2,500 households still without electricity in the afternoon, according to the Tokyo Electric Power Company. The typhoon's arrival during a major summer holiday has exacerbated the situation, with many people affected by disruptions in their travel and daily routines.
In response to the typhoon, major airlines have grounded hundreds of flights. ANA Holdings has canceled 281 domestic flights and 54 international flights scheduled for Friday, impacting around 70,000 passengers. Additionally, the airline plans to cancel 32 domestic flights into or out of Tokyo's Haneda airport on Saturday, affecting approximately 2,300 passengers. Japan Airlines has also announced the cancellation of 281 domestic and 38 international flights on Friday, affecting about 50,000 passengers.
High-speed "Shinkansen" bullet train services between Tokyo and Nagoya have been suspended, further disrupting travel plans. Retail and entertainment venues across the affected regions have either closed or reduced their hours. Notably, Tokyo Disneyland, operated by Oriental Land, has adjusted its closing time from 9 pm to 3 pm local time on Friday.
The widespread effects of Typhoon Ampil highlight the significant challenges faced by Japan as it deals with severe weather conditions and their impact on daily life and infrastructure.
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