Typhoon forces evacuation of 2 million in Japan and causes flooding in Taiwan

People cross flooded park after storm hits Taiwan
Japan evacuated more than 2 million people from risk areas and issued warnings for floods and landslides this Friday (26), with the approach of Typhoon Mekkhala. At the same time, the torrential rains caused by the storm's passage through Taiwan disrupted activities in parts of the island, leaving around 6 million people without work or classes.
Mekkhala, currently classified as a tropical storm, approaches the Ryukyu Islands, in the south of Japan, after passing off the coast of Taiwan, where it caused heavy rains, mainly in the regions of Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung.
Intense rains and strong winds also hit areas in the south and south. western Japan. Authorities warned of the risk of landslides, floods and river overflows, in addition to ordering the evacuation of 2.2 million people.
More than 200 flights were canceled in Japan, dozens of train services were suspended and several highways were closed, the Ministry of Land reported. The Japanese meteorological agency said that a stationary front fed by hot, humid air is intensifying rain, especially in the western regions of the country.
A man with a scooter crosses floodwaters during heavy rains caused by the passage of Typhoon Mekkhala in Taiwan.
CTS via REUTERS TV
Toyota halted operations at a factory on the island of Kyushu from Thursday afternoon until the first shift this Friday. The decision on the second round would be made later.
In Taiwan, the governments of the three affected regions ordered the closure of public offices and schools this Friday. Severe flooding in Tainan has disrupted a section of the main railway linking the north and south of the island.
In the city of Hsinchu, in northern Taiwan, where TSMC, the world's largest maker of custom chips, is based, offices and schools closed at noon.
TSMC said in a statement that it has adopted preventive measures at its facilities and that its factories continue to operate normally.
A man with an umbrella remains in the floodwaters during the strong rains caused by the passage of Typhoon Mekkhala towards Japan.
CTS via REUTERS TV
About 6 million people live in the four affected areas in Taiwan. In parts of the rural region of Pingtung, almost one meter of rain has been recorded since Thursday.
Risk of dammed lake bursting
In Taiwan, there are no reports of victims so far. However, authorities in Hualien County evacuated about 200 residents from two districts located below a dammed lake that quickly formed in the mountains.
These lakes arise when rocks, landslides or other natural obstacles block the course of a river, forming a type of dam that prevents water from flowing.
Last year, 19 people died in another region of Hualien when such a lake broke its barriers during the super typhoon. Ragasa, releasing a flood of water and mud that hit homes.
The forecast indicates that the rains are expected to continue in Taiwan for at least another week, although the intensity will gradually decrease.
Despite the disruptions, the precipitation also helps to replenish the island's reservoirs, which depends on the typhoon season in summer and autumn to replenish its water supplies after the normally dry winters.

Source: G1