TOKYO, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Monday, eastern Japan experienced intense rainfall and powerful winds as Typhoon Dujuan made landfall, prompting urgent landslide alerts and causing significant disruptions in transportation. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a Level 5 landslide warning for Oshima in the Izu Islands at 12:40 p.m., amid already high rainfall totals exceeding 500 millimeters across parts of the island chain. In Chiba Prefecture, more than 300 millimeters had been recorded from Saturday through early Monday afternoon. Authorities advised residents to remain vigilant for flooding, rising rivers, and hazardous waves.
By midday, the robust and expansive 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. Meteorologists forecasted that the system would accelerate and pass close to Kanto later in the day. They issued warnings for violent winds, extremely rough seas, and additional heavy rainfall across eastern Pacific coastal areas. Rainbands extending from the system could also increase rainfall intensity across Tokai, Kanto, and the Izu Islands.
The transport ministry reported three landslides in Chiba Prefecture by 2 p.m., which resulted in one home being destroyed and another partially damaged. Two additional landslides occurred in Miyazaki Prefecture, causing one fatality, one injury, and damage to a residence. Due to rainfall thresholds being surpassed, 32 sections of six expressways and three segments of two national roads were closed. Flooded roads and fallen trees led to the shutdown of 16 prefectural road sections across Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba.
Record Rainfall Elevates Flood and Landslide Threats
Air travel faced widespread disruption as carriers canceled 384 flights scheduled for Monday, according to the ministry’s 11 a.m. update. Japan Airlines canceled 135 flights, ANA canceled 139, and other carriers canceled 110. Most cancellations involved airports in the Kanto area. At that time, airport authorities had not reported any facility damage that would hinder flight operations. Additionally, the final day of the Tokyo Game Show in Chiba was canceled due to the typhoon.
Rail services were suspended on 16 conventional lines operated by eight different companies by 1:45 p.m., with one operator planning to halt 12 additional lines. No Shinkansen suspensions had been reported. Meanwhile, Maritime operators halted 36 routes, mainly servicing the Kanto and Kyushu regions. Highway bus operators suspended 62 routes, primarily in Chiba and Nagano, while local bus services stopped on 26 routes, mainly in Tokyo and Chiba; some other services operated partially.
Transportation Systems Experience Extensive Disruptions
Flood control measures intensified as rainfall accumulated in river basins along the typhoon’s projected path. Thirteen dams reached pre-release thresholds, with three conducting early water releases. Nine dams were actively managing flood-control operations, with two still engaged at noon. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported no river flooding at that time. Emergency teams dispatched pumping and lighting vehicles to Chiba to assist drainage and nighttime operations.
Meteorologists warned of storm-level rainfall in Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, the Izu Islands, and Tohoku through Monday. Predicted rainfall totals through noon Tuesday were 250 millimeters for Kanto, Tokai, and the Izu Islands, and 150 millimeters for Tohoku. Officials urged extreme caution to prevent landslides and to closely monitor flooding, rising rivers, strong winds, and high waves. The official forecast indicated that the typhoon would be near Kanto on Monday night as it moved northeastward at an increased pace. Local authorities continued issuing warnings and evacuation advisories as the situation evolved.