Typhoon Shanshan Slams Into Southern Japan Causing Evacuations And Power Outages

Powerful Storm Makes Landfall as Residents Brace for Historic Impact

Key Points

* Over 800,000 people have been evacuated with one million urged to follow * Typhoon Shanshan has brought torrential rain, strong winds, and power outages * The storm is the largest to hit Japan in years and could cause extensive damage

Typhoon Shanshan, one of the most powerful storms to hit Japan in years, made landfall on the southern island of Kyushu on Thursday at approximately 8 am local time. The storm brought with it torrential rain and strong winds, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and transportation disruptions.

More than 800,000 people have already been evacuated from their homes, with another one million being urged to do so. The government has issued warnings for landslides, flooding, and high winds, and has urged residents to take precautions.

The storm is expected to continue to move up the length of Japan over the next few days, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to central and northern regions. Meteorologists are warning that Shanshan could be one of the most damaging typhoons to hit the country in decades.

As of Thursday afternoon, at least three people have been killed by the storm, with more than a dozen injured. Power outages are affecting more than 400,000 homes and businesses, and transportation has been disrupted by flooding and downed trees.

The government has deployed emergency response teams to the affected areas, and is working to restore power and transportation as quickly as possible. Residents are being urged to stay indoors and avoid areas that are at risk of flooding or landslides.

Typhoon Shanshan is the latest in a series of powerful storms to hit Japan in recent years. In 2019, Typhoon Hagibis caused widespread flooding and landslides, killing more than 100 people.

As the climate continues to change, scientists are warning that typhoons and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Japan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to these storms, and the government is working to improve its disaster preparedness and response capabilities.