TOKYO, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Monday, Typhoon Dujuan caused extraordinary rainfall and strong winds across eastern Japan, 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. Prior to this, some areas had already experienced over 500 millimeters of rain, with parts of the island chain recording significant totals. Chiba Prefecture saw more than 300 millimeters from Saturday until early Monday afternoon. Authorities advised residents to remain alert for flooding, swollen rivers, and dangerous waves.
At midday, the powerful and sizable typhoon was moving north-northeast over the waters west of Hachijojima. It maintained a storm-force wind zone as it continued toward the Izu Islands and the Kanto region. Forecasters indicated that the system would accelerate and pass near Kanto later Monday. They issued warnings for violent winds, extremely rough seas, and additional heavy rainfall across eastern Pacific coastal regions. Moreover, linear rain bands could intensify precipitation across Tokai, Kanto, and the Izu Islands.
By 2 p.m., the transport ministry recorded three landslides in Chiba Prefecture, resulting in one home destroyed and another partially damaged. Additionally, two landslides occurred in Miyazaki Prefecture, causing one death, one injury, and damage to a house. Rain thresholds prompted the closure of 32 sections across six expressways and three parts of two national routes. Flooded roads and fallen trees also led to the shutdown of 16 sections of prefectural roads across Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba.
Heavy Rainfall Elevates Flooding and Landslide Hazards
Air travel experienced widespread interruptions, with the transport ministry canceling 384 flights scheduled for Monday as of its 11 a.m. update. Japan Airlines canceled 135 flights, ANA canceled 139, and other carriers canceled 110. The majority of cancellations affected airports in the Kanto area. At that time, airport officials had not reported any damage to facilities that would impede flight operations. Meanwhile, the Tokyo Game Show’s final day in Chiba was canceled due to the typhoon.
Rail services were halted on 16 conventional lines operated by eight different companies by 1:45 p.m. One operator planned additional suspensions on 12 lines, though no Shinkansen services had been reported as affected. The Maritime sector suspended 36 routes, primarily serving the Kanto and Kyushu regions. Bus operators halted 62 routes, mainly in Chiba and Nagano, and local bus services also paused on 26 routes, mostly in Tokyo and Chiba, with some services running partial operations.
Transport Systems Widespread Disruption Due to Typhoon
Flood control measures intensified as rainfall accumulated in river basins near the typhoon’s trajectory. Thirteen dams reached thresholds requiring pre-release, while three carried out preliminary water discharges. Nine dams conducted flood-control activities, with two still doing so at noon. By that time, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had received no reports of river flooding. Emergency teams dispatched pumps and lighting vehicles to Chiba to bolster drainage and support night operations.
The weather agency warned of storm-level rainfall across Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, the Izu Islands, and Tohoku through Monday. Forecasts indicated totals reaching 250 millimeters for Kanto, Tokai, and the Izu Islands, and 150 millimeters for Tohoku through noon Tuesday. Officials urged extreme caution regarding landslides, flooding, rising rivers, strong winds, and high waves. The official forecast projected the typhoon approaching Kanto on Monday night as it moved northeastward. Authorities continued to issue local warnings and evacuation notices as the situation evolved.