Japanese Islands Hit by Two Successive Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as Typhoon Nakri swept through the region 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 about 220 homes after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and gusts of up to 95mph (152km/h). Flight services were interrupted, public facilities harmed, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in the Kanagawa region, three men were swept away while fishing, with one fatality reported.
The Evolution of Nakri
The storm has since shifted into an non-tropical storm system, weakening as it moved eastwards over cooler north Pacific waters, with wind speeds dropping to about 65mph as of Thursday. Moving along the air current, its remaining parts are headed to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Remembering Halong's Impact
Seven days before, Halong discharged more than 200mm of rain in three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, rainfall totals reached 349mm, shattering the 24-hour record. The storm's leftovers then traveled over the northern Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the most affected. One person died, homes were destroyed, and nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. The state underwent an historic mass evacuation by air to evacuate displaced residents. Halong stands as among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its quick strengthening was driven by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Twin Disasters in Mexico
At the same time, the country faced two consecutive hits last week as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond combined, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across the central and eastern areas. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, 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 impacted by mudslides and river overflows. As of Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with standing water causing health worries in remote zones.
