Japanese Islands Hit by Two Successive Typhoons
The Izu Islands have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the region on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Immediate Impact on the Island of Hachijojima
Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to about 220 homes after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Flight services were interrupted, public facilities harmed, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The typhoon also generated 9-metre waves, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in Kanagawa prefecture, three men were swept away while fishing, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
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, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Remembering Halong's Impact
A week earlier, Halong discharged more than 200mm of rain in three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The typhoon’s remnants then traveled over the northern 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 most affected. A single fatality occurred, houses were ruined, and nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. The state underwent one of the largest airlifts in its history to evacuate displaced residents. Halong stands as among the strongest cyclones the area has ever seen. Its quick strengthening was fuelled by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Twin Disasters in Mexico
At the same time, the nation faced two consecutive hits last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond combined, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across central and eastern regions. Guided by a trough in the air current, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The initial heavy rains from Priscilla made the soil waterlogged, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. Over 300 localities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. By Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 remain missing. Search and relief efforts persist, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in isolated areas.
