TOKYO, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Monday, eastern Japan experienced the impact of Typhoon Dujuan, which brought historic rainfall and powerful winds, leading to urgent landslide alerts and widespread transportation interruptions. The Japan Meteorological Agency designated Oshima in the Izu Islands with a Level 5 landslide warning at 12:40 p.m. Already, heavy precipitation had pushed totals beyond 500 millimeters in parts of the island chain. Additionally, Chiba Prefecture recorded over 300 millimeters from Saturday through early Monday afternoon. Authorities advised residents to remain alert for flooding, rising rivers, and hazardous waves.
As of noon, the large and intense 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 the Kanto region. Meteorologists stated that the system would accelerate and pass near Kanto later in the day. They cautioned about fierce winds, turbulent seas, and additional heavy rain across eastern Pacific coastal areas. Furthermore, linear rain bands might intensify rainfall in Tokai, Kanto, and the Izu Islands.
By 2 p.m., the transport ministry documented three landslides in Chiba Prefecture, with one home destroyed and another partially damaged. The agency also confirmed two landslides in Miyazaki Prefecture, which resulted in one death, one injury, and damage to one residence. Rainfall thresholds caused closures on 32 sections of six expressways and three segments of two national roads. Flooded roads and fallen trees led to the shutdown of 16 prefectural road sections across Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba.
Heavy Rainfall Heightens Flood and Landslide Hazards
The aviation sector faced extensive disruption, with carriers canceling 384 flights scheduled for Monday according to the ministry’s 11 a.m. update. Japan Airlines canceled 135 flights, while ANA canceled 139, and other airlines canceled 110. Most cancellations involved airports in the Kanto area. At that time, airport authorities reported no damage that would hinder flight operations. The Tokyo Game Show’s final day in Chiba was also canceled due to the typhoon.
Rail services were halted on 16 conventional lines operated by eight companies by 1:45 p.m., with one operator planning to suspend 12 additional routes. No suspensions of Shinkansen services had been reported at that point. Maritime transport providers suspended 36 routes, mainly serving Kanto and Kyushu, and highway bus operators canceled 62 routes, primarily in Chiba and Nagano. Local bus services also stopped 26 routes, mostly in Tokyo and Chiba, while some other services operated with partial suspensions.
Transportation Systems Experience Extensive Disruptions
Flood control measures expanded as rainfall increased across river basins near the typhoon’s trajectory. Thirteen dams reached the thresholds for pre-release actions, and three conducted early water releases. Nine dams carried out flood-control activities, with two still doing so by noon. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported no river flooding incidents by midday. Emergency crews dispatched pumping and lighting vehicles to Chiba to aid drainage and nighttime operations.
The meteorological agency issued warnings of storm-level rainfall across Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, the Izu Islands, and Tohoku through Monday. Forecasted totals by Tuesday noon were 250 millimeters for Kanto, Tokai, and the Izu Islands, and 150 millimeters for Tohoku. Officials urged the public to exercise extreme caution regarding landslides, flooding, rising rivers, strong winds, and high waves. The official forecast indicated the typhoon would be near Kanto on Monday night as it moved northeastward at an increased speed. Local warnings and evacuation advisories continued to be issued as conditions evolved.