Typhoon forces the evacuation of 2 million Japanese and paralyzes parts of Taiwan
Torrential rains caused by a tropical storm interrupted activities in large areas of southern and northern parts of Taiwan this Friday (26), leaving more than 5 million people without work or classes. In neighboring Japan, authorities issued warnings for floods and landslides.
Typhoon Mekkhala, now downgraded to the category of tropical storm and close to the Ryukyu Islands, in southern Japan, did not directly hit Taiwan. However, its outer bands caused heavy rain in several regions of the island, especially in Kaohsiung, Tainan and Pingtung, in the south.
The governments of these three regions, which together are home to more than 5 million inhabitants, ordered the closure of public offices and schools this Friday. In Tainan, severe flooding interrupted a section of the main railway linking the north and south of the island.
The city of Hsinchu, in northern Taiwan and headquarters of TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, also announced the closure of offices and schools from noon. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In Japan, heavy rain and winds hit large areas of the country. Authorities issued high-level warnings for landslides, floods and river overflows in western and southern regions, in addition to ordering the evacuation of 2.2 million residents.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a stationary rain front, combined with the inflow of warm and humid air, is intensifying precipitation, mainly in the west of the country.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Transport, more than 200 flights were cancelled, dozens of railway lines were suspended and several highways were closed. Toyota halted operations at a factory on the island of Kyushu between Thursday afternoon and the first shift this Friday.
NIED (National Research Institute for Earth Sciences and Disaster Resilience), Japan's main agency focused on reducing risks from natural disasters, reported a 6.0 magnitude earthquake near Chiba Prefecture, on the east coast. Despite its magnitude, the earthquake was deep, at 55.6 km, and did not impact the population.
In Taiwan, there are no reports of casualties so far, but authorities in Hualien County evacuate nearly 200 residents from two towns located below a rapidly filling barrier lake in the mountains.
Barrier lakes form when rocks, landslides or other natural blockages dam the course of a river, hindering or interrupting water drainage.
Last year, 19 people died in another region of Hualien when a barrier lake breached its banks during the passage of super typhoon Ragasa, sending a flood of water and mud into residential areas.
The forecast indicates that rain is expected to continue in Taiwan for at least another week, although the intensity will gradually decrease.
Despite the disruptions, the rainfall also helps replenish Taiwan's reservoirs, which depend on the summer and autumn typhoon season after generally dry winters.
Source: CNN