Japanese Islands Hit by Back-to-Back Tropical Storms
The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of Typhoon Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima
Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to approximately 220 residences after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, infrastructure damaged, and intense rains caused ground slides across the group of islands. The storm also produced waves as high as 9 meters, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, 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, losing strength while traveling east over chilled northern Pacific seas, with wind speeds dropping to about 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remnants are on track to reach British Columbia, Canada, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Recalling Halong's Fury
Seven days before, Halong had unleashed over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By the late morning of the previous Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, shattering the 24-hour record. The typhoon’s remnants then crossed the north Pacific and reached Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the most affected. One person died, homes were destroyed, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. The state underwent an historic mass evacuation by air to relocate affected individuals. Halong remains among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its quick strengthening was fuelled by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation endured a double blow last week as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond combined, dumping about 609mm of rain in 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, worsening floods as Raymond approached. Over 300 localities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. By Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in remote zones.
