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Evacuation Ordered in Northern Japan, Power Out, Flights, Trains Canceled as a Typhoon Approaches
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 hours ago on
August 16, 2024

Typhoon Ampil prompts evacuations, disrupts travel, and causes power outages as it approaches northern Japan. (AP/Hiro Komae)

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TOKYO — Thousands of people in northern Japan were ordered to evacuate Friday because of the risk of flooding and mudslides from a powerful typhoon approaching in the Pacific Ocean.

Flights and trains in the Tokyo area were canceled as warnings were issued for strong winds and heavy rainfall from Typhoon Ampil, expected to reach waters near Tokyo in the evening and then continue north, bringing stormy conditions to the northern Kanto and Tohoku regions on Saturday.

It had sustained winds of 162 kph (101 mph) with higher gusts Friday morning and was moving north at 15 kph (9.3 mph), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Ampil was not expected to make landfall and could weaken to a tropical storm by Sunday.

Power Outages and Evacuation Orders

Power was out in more than 5,000 households, mostly in coastal Chiba and Ibaraki Prefectures, east of Tokyo, but also in Saitama to the north.

An evacuation order was sent to the more than 320,000 residents of the city of Iwaki in Fukushima prefecture. More than 30 places were offered as safe locations to stay, including school gymnasiums and community centers.

Evacuation warnings were also sent to at-risk areas in the cities of Asahi and Mobarashi in Chiba. Ampil was expected to reach the waters off Chiba by Friday evening.

Disruptions to Transportation and Services

Tokyo’s Disneyland, usually open until 9 p.m., closed at 3 p.m. because of the typhoon. Yamato Transport, which makes Amazon and other deliveries in Japan, said no deliveries would be made in Tokyo and nearby affected areas on Friday and Saturday.

Shinkansen bullet trains running between Tokyo and Nagoya were halted for the entire day, a common response to typhoons. Bullet trains serving northeastern Japan and some local Tokyo trains were halted or switched to a slower schedule. A decision will be made early Saturday on whether trains will start running again as usual, the railway company said.

Dozens of departing and arriving flights were canceled at Tokyo’s two airports, Haneda and Narita, as well as at Kansai, Osaka and Chubu airports. The flight cancellations affected about 90,000 people, according to Japanese media reports.

Airports and train stations had been packed Thursday with people seeking to avoid travel disruptions from the typhoon.

Precautions and Warnings

Friday was drizzly and windy in Tokyo. Traffic and crowds on the streets were sparse, mostly because of the Obon summer holiday period, not just the weather. Stores remained open.

Officials warned people to stay away from rivers and beaches and be wary of powerful winds.

“We foresee extremely fierce winds and extremely fierce seas,” said Shuichi Tachihara, the meteorological agency’s chief forecaster.

Japanese TV broadcasts showed residents of the island of Hachijojima boarding up windows. Ampil moved past the Hachijo group of islands south of Tokyo by midday as it headed northward.

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