Japan faced significant travel disruptions on Thursday as Typhoon Ampil approached the archipelago amid the busy “obon” holiday week. The storm has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains, affecting tens of thousands of travelers.
The approaching typhoon, which was forecast to skirt the Tokyo region before moving up the Pacific coast, follows Tropical Storm Maria, which had already brought record rainfall to the area. At 9:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT), Ampil was located approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) off the remote Pacific island of Chichijima, with wind gusts reaching up to 180 kilometers per hour.
In response to the storm, All Nippon Airways (ANA) cancelled around 280 domestic flights scheduled for Friday, impacting more than 60,000 passengers. Japan Airlines also grounded 191 domestic flights and 26 international services, affecting 38,600 customers. Major bullet train services, including the crucial route between Tokyo and Nagoya, are also set to be suspended on Friday.
The typhoon’s impact is exacerbated by the ongoing “obon” holiday, a time when millions of Japanese travel to their hometowns to pay respects to their ancestors. The disruptions come as Japan’s disaster management officials have urged the public to stay informed about evacuation advisories and take necessary precautions.
Disaster Management Minister Yoshifumi Matsumura advised residents to heed evacuation warnings as the storm could bring violent gusts, flooding, overflowing rivers, and landslides. The weather agency has issued warnings for eastern regions, highlighting the potential for severe weather conditions.
The frequency and intensity of such storms have been increasing, with recent research indicating that typhoons in the region are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and lasting longer over land due to climate change. This study, conducted by researchers from universities in Singapore and the United States, analyzed over 64,000 historical and future storm models from the 19th century through the end of the 21st century.
As Typhoon Ampil continues its path, authorities and residents alike are bracing for further impacts and are urged to remain vigilant.
