International Desk //

A powerful Typhoon Dujuan struck Tokyo on Monday. Prior to the storm’s arrival, orders were issued for over 1.9 million people across six prefectures to evacuate to safety. Approximately 50,000 households have been left without power.

Firefighters fear a woman has been buried alive after a landslide caused a house to collapse in Kanagawa Prefecture. Meanwhile, a man became trapped while clearing debris in Chiba Prefecture; he was subsequently taken to the hospital. Three hundred flights have been cancelled due to the typhoon, and some train services have been suspended.

According to BBC reports, Dujuan’s wind speed reached 130 kilometers per hour at the last update, with gusts peaking at 194 kilometers per hour.

Dujuan is the latest in a series of storms to hit the Pacific region. These storms have intensified because this year’s “Super El Niño” has raised ocean temperatures, creating conditions favorable for storm formation. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of an “immediate threat” to human life and urged everyone to move to safety “immediately.”

Reports indicate that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has delayed a visit to the United States to monitor the typhoon’s impact. Tokyo’s disaster management agency has warned residents against entering basements or underground areas. A Level 3 heavy rain warning is currently in effect for the area.

Using two cartoons posted on social media, the agency warned, “Water can rush into basements rapidly, and it may be impossible to see what is happening outside, creating a risk of becoming trapped.” The warning further advised residents to remain “extremely vigilant.”

The disaster management agency also issued a warning regarding manhole covers, noting that floodwaters could displace them, creating dangerous conditions.

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