Japanese Islands Struck by Back-to-Back Typhoons

The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the region on Monday, coming just after Typhoon Halong, which hit a week earlier.

Initial Consequences on Hachijojima Island

Local authorities on Hachijojima reported disruption and damage to approximately 220 residences after the typhoon brought 37mm (1.5in) of rain in one hour and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, infrastructure damaged, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in Kanagawa prefecture, three men were swept away while fishing, one of whom has been confirmed dead.

Nakri's Transformation

Nakri has since transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, losing strength while traveling east over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Moving along the air current, its remaining parts are headed to reach British Columbia, Canada, delivering intense precipitation, powerful gusts, and coastal flooding.

Remembering Halong's Impact

Seven days before, Halong had unleashed over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, rainfall totals reached 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 seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the most affected. A single fatality occurred, houses were ruined, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. Alaska experienced 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 driven by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.

Double Trouble in Mexico

At the same time, the nation faced two consecutive hits last week as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond converged, 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 first deluge from Priscilla left the ground saturated, worsening floods as Raymond approached. More than 300 communities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. By Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 remain missing. Search and relief efforts persist, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in remote zones.

James Peck
James Peck

Certified wellness coach and nutritionist passionate about holistic health and sustainable living practices.