Japanese Archipelago Struck by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the region on Monday, coming just after Typhoon Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima
Officials on Hachijojima Island reported disruption and damage to approximately 220 residences after the typhoon brought 37mm (1.5in) of rain in one hour and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Flight services were interrupted, public facilities harmed, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The typhoon also generated 9-metre waves, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Off the Pacific coast in Oiso, in the Kanagawa region, three men were swept away while fishing, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
The Evolution of Nakri
Nakri has since transitioned into an non-tropical storm system, weakening as it moved eastwards over chilled northern Pacific seas, with wind speeds dropping to about 65mph as of Thursday. Moving along the air current, its remnants are on track to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Remembering Halong's Impact
A week earlier, Halong had unleashed over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By the late morning of the previous Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The storm's leftovers then traveled over the northern Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.
Significant Harm in Alaska
The seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. A single fatality occurred, houses were ruined, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. The state underwent one of the largest airlifts in its history to evacuate displaced residents. Halong remains one of the most powerful storms the area has ever seen. Its rapid intensification was driven by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Twin Disasters in Mexico
At the same time, the country faced two consecutive hits last week as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond combined, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across central and eastern regions. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The initial heavy rains from Priscilla left the ground saturated, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. More than 300 communities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. By Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 individuals are still unaccounted for. Search and relief efforts persist, with standing water causing health worries in isolated areas.