TOKYO, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – Typhoon Dujuan delivered unprecedented rainfall and powerful winds across eastern Japan on Monday, resulting in urgent landslide alerts and widespread disruptions to transportation. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 landslide warning for Oshima in the Izu Islands at 12:40 p.m. Already, parts of the island chain recorded rainfall exceeding 500 millimeters, while Chiba Prefecture experienced over 300 millimeters from Saturday through early Monday afternoon. Authorities advised residents to remain alert for flooding, swollen rivers, and dangerous waves.
By midday, the intense typhoon was moving north-northeast over waters west of Hachijojima, maintaining a storm-force wind zone as it headed toward the Izu Islands and the Kanto region. Forecasters indicated the system would accelerate and pass near Kanto later on Monday. They issued warnings of violent winds, rough seas, and additional heavy rain across eastern Pacific coastal areas. Linear rain bands were also expected to increase rainfall in Tokai, Kanto, and the Izu Islands.
The transport ministry reported three landslides in Chiba Prefecture by 2 p.m., including one home destroyed and another partially damaged. Two additional landslides occurred 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 sections of two national roads. Flooded roads and fallen trees led to the closure of 16 prefectural road segments across Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba.
Heavy Rain Elevates Risks of Flooding and Landslides
Aviation faced widespread disruption, with carriers canceling 384 flights scheduled for Monday according to the ministry’s 11 a.m. update. Japan Airlines canceled 135 flights, ANA canceled 139, and other airlines canceled 110. Most cancellations affected airports in the Kanto region. At that time, no damage to airport facilities was reported that would hinder flight operations. The Tokyo Game Show’s final day in Chiba was also canceled due to the typhoon.
Rail services were suspended on 16 lines operated by eight different companies by 1:45 p.m. One operator planned to halt 12 additional lines, though no Shinkansen suspensions were noted. Maritime operators stopped 36 routes, mainly in Kanto and Kyushu. Highway bus services on 62 routes, primarily in Chiba and Nagano, were also halted, along with 26 local bus routes mainly in Tokyo and Chiba. Several services operated with partial suspensions.
Transportation Systems Encounter Extensive Disruptions
Flood control measures expanded as rainfall increased across river basins near the typhoon’s trajectory. Thirteen dams reached pre-release thresholds, and three performed early water releases. Nine dams carried out flood control operations, with two still active at noon. By then, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism had not received reports of river flooding. Emergency crews dispatched pumping and lighting vehicles to Chiba to support drainage efforts and nighttime operations.
The weather agency issued warnings for storm-level rainfall in Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, the Izu Islands, and Tohoku through Monday. Forecast totals through noon Tuesday indicated 250 millimeters in Kanto, Tokai, and the Izu Islands, and 150 millimeters in Tohoku. Officials urged extreme caution regarding landslides, flooding, rising rivers, strong winds, and high waves. The official forecast predicted the typhoon would be near Kanto on Monday night as it moved northeastward at an accelerated pace. Local warnings and evacuation notices continued to be issued as conditions evolved.