TOKYO, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – Typhoon Dujuan delivered unprecedented rainfall and fierce winds across eastern Japan on Monday, leading to emergency landslide alerts and widespread transportation disruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 landslide warning for Oshima in the Izu Islands at 12:40 p.m. Already, heavy rains had pushed totals beyond 500 millimeters in parts of the island chain. Chiba Prefecture experienced over 300 millimeters from Saturday through early Monday afternoon. Authorities cautioned residents to remain vigilant for flooding, swollen rivers, and hazardous waves.
At midday, the powerful and extensive typhoon was moving north-northeast over waters west of Hachijojima. It maintained a storm-force wind zone as it tracked toward the Izu Islands and Kanto region. Forecasters indicated that the storm would accelerate and pass near Kanto later on Monday. Warnings included violent winds, rough seas, and additional heavy rainfall across eastern Pacific coastal areas. Additionally, linear rain bands could heighten rainfall intensities across Tokai, Kanto, and the Izu Islands.
By 2 p.m., the transport ministry recorded three landslides in Chiba Prefecture, which resulted in one home being destroyed and another partly damaged. Two landslides were also reported in Miyazaki Prefecture, with one fatality, one injury, and damage to a home. Rainfall thresholds led to the closure of 32 sections on six expressways and three parts of two national roads. Flooded roads and fallen trees caused the shutdown of 16 prefectural road segments across Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba.
Heavy Rainfall Escalates the Threat of Flooding and Landslides
Aviation experienced significant disruption as airlines canceled 384 flights scheduled for Monday, according to the ministry’s 11 a.m. update. Japan Airlines canceled 135 flights, ANA canceled 139, and other carriers canceled 110. Most cancellations affected airports in the Kanto area. At that time, airport authorities had not reported damage to facilities that would hinder flight operations. Furthermore, organizers canceled the final day of the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba due to the typhoon.
Meanwhile, rail services on 16 conventional lines operated by eight different companies were suspended by 1:45 p.m. One operator planned to halt 12 additional lines, though no Shinkansen services had been affected. The Maritime sector suspended 36 routes, primarily serving the Kanto and Kyushu regions. Highway bus services on 62 routes, mainly in Chiba and Nagano, were also halted. Local buses canceled 26 routes, mainly in Tokyo and Chiba, with several services operating with partial suspensions.
Widespread Interruptions to Transportation Infrastructure
Flood control measures increased as rainfall accumulated in river basins along the typhoon’s trajectory. Thirteen dams reached thresholds for pre-release operations, with three conducting early water releases. Nine dams carried out flood-prevention activities, two of which were still active at noon. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had not received reports of river flooding by midday. Emergency crews dispatched pumping and lighting vehicles to Chiba to assist with drainage and night-time operations.
The meteorological agency issued warnings of storm-level rainfall across Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, the Izu Islands, and Tohoku through Monday. Forecasts indicated totals up to 250 millimeters for Kanto, Tokai, and the Izu Islands by noon Tuesday, with Tohoku expected to receive about 150 millimeters. Officials advised extreme caution regarding landslides, and urged close monitoring of flood risks, rising rivers, strong winds, and high waves. The official forecast predicted the typhoon near Kanto on Monday night as it moved northeastward at an increasing pace. Local authorities continued issuing warnings and evacuation notices as conditions evolved.