Japanese Archipelago Hit by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu Islands have faced yet another severe impact as tropical cyclone Nakri swept through the area on Monday, coming just after storm Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima
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 gusts of up to 95mph (152km/h). Flight services were interrupted, infrastructure damaged, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The typhoon also produced waves as high as 9 meters, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Off the Pacific coast in Oiso, in Kanagawa prefecture, three men were swept away while fishing, with one fatality reported.
Nakri's Transformation
Nakri has since transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, weakening as it moved eastwards over chilled northern Pacific seas, with wind speeds dropping to about 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.
Recalling Halong's Fury
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, breaking the daily rainfall record. The typhoon’s remnants then crossed the north Pacific and reached Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.
Significant Harm in Alaska
The seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. One person died, homes were destroyed, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. Alaska experienced one of the largest airlifts in its history to evacuate displaced residents. Halong remains among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its quick strengthening was fuelled by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.
Double Trouble in Mexico
At the same time, the country endured a double blow last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond combined, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across central and eastern regions. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, both systems hit the same area in quick succession. The first deluge from Priscilla left the ground saturated, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. More than 300 communities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. As of Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 individuals are still unaccounted for. Search and relief efforts persist, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in isolated areas.
