Tropical storm Chan-hom made landfall in the greater Tokyo area, causing tree damage and leaving over 3,000 homes without power. Five individuals sustained minor injuries, with two men in Iwate and three women in Ibaraki affected. The storm, which weakened after hitting southern Ibaraki, was moving westward and had sustained winds of 64 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. In Tokyo, commuter trains and flights resumed normal operations, but residents in northern and western Japan were warned of continued heavy rain and thunderstorms. Chan-hom’s landfall marks the first instance of a storm or typhoon impacting Ibaraki since record-keeping began in 1951, coinciding with Japan’s “bon” holiday week.
Why It Matters
The impact of tropical storm Chan-hom highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events in Japan, exacerbated by climate change. Just days prior, Typhoon Dolphin caused significant disruption in southern Japan, leading to fatalities in the Philippines and flooding in China, demonstrating the regional vulnerability to tropical storms. The Japan Meteorological Agency’s records indicate that the Ibaraki prefecture had not experienced a storm of this magnitude since 1951, underscoring the rarity and significance of this event in the context of Japan’s meteorological history. Such storms can severely affect local economies, transportation, and public safety, particularly during holiday periods when travel peaks.
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