Japanese Archipelago Hit by Two Successive Typhoons
The Izu Islands have endured another powerful blow as Typhoon Nakri swept through the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which struck seven days prior.
Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima
Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to about 220 homes after the storm brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, public facilities harmed, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the island chain. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Off the Pacific coast in Oiso, in Kanagawa prefecture, three fishermen were carried off by waves, with one fatality reported.
The Evolution of Nakri
Nakri has since transitioned into an non-tropical storm system, losing strength while traveling east over chilled northern Pacific seas, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remaining parts are headed to reach British Columbia, Canada, delivering intense precipitation, powerful gusts, and coastal flooding.
Recalling Halong's Fury
Seven days before, Halong had unleashed 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 traveled over the northern Pacific and reached 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 nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. The state underwent an historic mass evacuation by air to relocate affected individuals. Halong remains among the strongest cyclones the area has ever seen. Its rapid intensification was fuelled by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Twin Disasters in Mexico
At the same time, the nation endured a double blow last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond combined, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across central and eastern regions. Guided by a trough in the air current, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The initial heavy rains from Priscilla left the ground saturated, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. More than 300 communities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. As of Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 individuals are still unaccounted for. Search and relief efforts persist, with standing water causing health worries in isolated areas.
