Japanese Islands Hit by Two Successive Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as Typhoon Nakri swept through the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which struck a week earlier.
Immediate Impact on the Island of Hachijojima
Officials on Hachijojima Island reported disruption and damage to approximately 220 residences after the storm brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, public facilities harmed, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides 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
The storm has since shifted into an extratropical cyclone, losing strength while traveling east over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Moving along the air current, its remnants are on track to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, delivering intense precipitation, powerful gusts, and coastal flooding.
Recalling Halong's Fury
Seven days before, Halong had unleashed over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The storm's leftovers then traveled over the northern Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.
Significant Harm in Alaska
The seaside communities 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 one of the largest airlifts in its history to relocate affected individuals. Halong remains one of the most powerful storms the area has ever seen. Its quick strengthening was driven by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation 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. More than 300 communities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. 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.
