Typhoon Nanmadol hits Japan, causes heavy rain, flooding

19 September 2022

Typhoon Nanmadol has brought violent winds, torrential rain and flooding to western Japan after crossing the coastline yesterday.

The typhoon made landfall in Kyushu, one of Japan’s four main islands, before moving across to Yamaguchi Prefecture on Honshu this morning. The system was forecast to travel to the north-east while still bringing heavy rain as it weakens over the next day.

Authorities warned of floods and landslips and issued evacuation warnings to residents in the path of the typhoon, the 14th for the Pacific region this season. Flights and train services were cancelled and homes left without power.

Japan is frequently hit by severe typhoons, with extensive damage caused in 2019 by Typhoon Hagibis, which made landfall near Tokyo before bringing extensive flooding to inland regions.

Typhoon Faxai also caused significant insurance losses that year, while Typhoon Jebi in 2018 was the strongest to hit the country in more than 25 years.