Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Japan is bracing for widespread travel chaos as Typhoon Shanshan, now classified as a “very severe” storm, approaches its coast. The typhoon is expected to bring torrential rain, violent winds, and significant disruptions to both rail and air travel. Already, Japan Airlines has canceled 118 domestic flights, primarily serving Kagoshima and the Amami Islands, along with several international flights.
All Nippon Airways has also warned of potential disruptions at Osaka airport and other regional hubs. Rail services are equally affected, with Japan Railway companies considering suspending Shinkansen super-express trains in Kyushu and parts of Honshu from Wednesday to Sunday. As Shanshan moves closer, authorities have issued severe weather warnings, urging residents to prepare for flooding, landslides, and high waves.
The disruptions caused by the typhoon are expected to impact thousands of travelers, leading to significant economic consequences and highlighting the vulnerability of Japan’s transportation infrastructure to extreme weather events. Typhoon Shanshan is steadily moving closer to Japan’s coast, intensifying into a “very strong” storm and prompting widespread disruptions across the southwestern islands. As the typhoon approaches, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a series of warnings, urging residents to prepare for heavy rains, violent winds, and potential flooding.
The storm is expected to have a significant impac.