Typhoon Khanun ravages Okinawa, Japan: one dead, flights grounded, power outages reported

Typhoon Khanun has unleashed its fury on Japan’s Okinawa region, leaving destruction in its wake. The slow-moving typhoon, described as “very strong” by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), has claimed one life and caused widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

As the typhoon neared Japan’s southwestern islands, powerful winds and torrential rains struck Okinawa, leading to the cancellation of numerous flights to the popular tourist destination. The airport in Okinawa’s capital city, Naha, remained closed for the second consecutive day, leaving 951 flights grounded. Additionally, 35 ferry lines suspended operations, causing further disruption to travel plans.

The impact of Typhoon Khanun was felt beyond transportation, with Okinawa Electric Power reporting that around 210,000 households were experiencing power outages, affecting 34 percent of all covered houses. In Kagoshima’s Amami islands, another 10,030 houses faced a power supply disruption.

The Japan Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that a 90-year-old man tragically lost his life after being crushed under a collapsed garage. Media reports suggest at least 11 others were wounded during the storm.

Local authorities took precautionary measures to ensure residents’ safety, issuing evacuation orders for over 690,000 people across Okinawa and parts of neighboring Kagoshima prefecture. The JMA warned of potential flooding and landslides in certain areas.

The typhoon’s impact on communication was also significant, as mobile operators SoftBank Corp and KDDI reported disruptions to phone and internet connections in some parts of Okinawa due to the power outage.

For Okinawa, a region frequently hit by typhoons, this disaster struck during the peak summer tourist season, affecting a high number of visitors. Major courier companies Yamato Holdings and SG Holdings’ Sagawa Express suspended all parcel deliveries to Okinawa from other areas in Japan due to transportation disruptions.

As Typhoon Khanun continues its course, the JMA predicts that it will move westwards through the East China Sea, affecting China’s Zhejiang and Fujian provinces and passing north of Taiwan by Friday. However, the typhoon may then turn northeastwards, potentially heading towards Japan’s third-largest island, Kyushu.

This natural disaster follows closely on the heels of Typhoon Doksuri, which recently struck northern China and caused extensive damage to rice production in the Philippines. Japan’s authorities are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents and personnel on military installations, such as Kadena Air Base, to take all necessary precautions in the face of this ongoing threat.