- Japan Meteorological Agency warns of risk of river overflows, flash floods, and landslides
- In Taiwan, authorities in multiple regions ordered the closure of government offices and schools on Friday as severe flooding disrupted daily life and caused the suspension of a key railway line linking the island’s north and south.
Japan has ordered the evacuation of more than 2.2 million people as Typhoon Mekhala approaches the country, triggering widespread warnings of flooding, landslides, and severe weather disruptions across southern and western regions.
Authorities also issued alerts for heavy rainfall and strong winds as the storm system moved northward after passing through Taiwan, where it caused torrential downpours and widespread disruption, including the closure of workplaces and schools affecting around six million people.
Now classified as a tropical storm, Mekhala is heading toward Japan’s Ryukyu Islands after battering parts of southern Taiwan, particularly the cities of Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung, where intense rainfall led to flooding in several areas.
In Japan, the Meteorological Agency warned of the risk of river overflows, flash floods, and landslides, prompting large-scale evacuation orders in vulnerable regions.
Transport networks were also severely affected, with more than 200 flights cancelled, multiple train services suspended, and several highways closed as precautionary measures.
In Taiwan, authorities in multiple regions ordered the closure of government offices and schools on Friday as severe flooding disrupted daily life and caused the suspension of a key railway line linking the island’s north and south.
Although no casualties have been reported so far in Taiwan, emergency services in Hualien County are evacuating nearly 200 residents from areas near a rapidly filling mountain lake, amid concerns over potential overflow risks.
Weather forecasts indicate continued rainfall in Taiwan over the coming week, although conditions are expected to gradually ease.
Officials noted that seasonal typhoons play a crucial role in replenishing the island’s reservoirs despite the immediate disruption they cause.
