TOKYO, JAPAN / RankWire.AI / – On Monday, eastern Japan faced heavy rains and strong winds as Typhoon Dujuan made landfall, leading to urgent landslide warnings and widespread interruptions to travel. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its top landslide alert for Oshima in the Izu Islands shortly after midday. Several parts of the island chain experienced rainfall exceeding 500 millimeters. From Saturday through early Monday afternoon, Chiba Prefecture saw over 300 millimeters of rain. Officials cautioned residents regarding risks of flooding, swollen rivers, landslides, and hazardous coastal conditions.
By midday, Dujuan was progressing north-northeast over waters west of Hachijojima, maintaining a broad storm-force wind zone. Meteorologists tracked the cyclone toward the Izu Islands and the Kanto region, with forecasts predicting its approach near Kanto later Monday as it sped northeastward. Weather authorities issued warnings for violent winds, rough seas, and additional heavy rainfall along eastern Pacific coastal areas. They also monitored linear rain bands capable of delivering intense localized downpours over short periods.
The storm caused damage and prompted closures across multiple prefectures. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reported three landslides in Chiba by 2 p.m. One residence was destroyed while another sustained partial damage. Miyazaki experienced two additional landslides, resulting in one fatality and one injury. Heavy rainfall led to closures on 32 sections of six expressways and three national roads. Flooded areas and fallen trees also shut down 16 prefectural road segments across Ibaraki, Saitama, and Chiba.
Heavy Rains Cause Flight Cancellations and Transit Disruptions
By 11 a.m., the ministry reported the cancellation of 384 flights scheduled for Monday, primarily affecting airports in the Kanto region. No infrastructural damage was reported at that time that would hinder airport operations. The typhoon also impacted a major event in Chiba; organizers called off the final day of the Tokyo Game Show due to the storm and transportation concerns. Travelers faced schedule changes as service providers adjusted operations in response to worsening weather conditions.
Rail and maritime services also experienced notable disruptions. By 1:45 p.m., eight railway operators suspended service on 16 conventional lines, with an additional operator planning to suspend 12 more. At that time, no suspensions affecting Shinkansen routes had been reported. Maritime services halted 36 routes, mainly across Kanto and Kyushu. Highway bus services suspended 62 routes, mostly in Chiba and Nagano. Local buses stopped 26 routes, though some services continued with partial suspensions.
Flood Control Efforts Increase as Typhoon Moves Northeast
As rain accumulated in river basins along the typhoon’s path, flood mitigation measures were intensified. Thirteen dams reached levels requiring pre-release actions, with three initiating early water releases. Flood-control operations were underway at nine dams, with two still functioning at noon. No reports of river flooding were received by midday. Emergency teams dispatched pumping and lighting vehicles to Chiba to aid drainage and overnight response efforts. Local authorities continued to monitor rivers, slopes, and vulnerable districts.
Forecasts indicated that additional heavy rain would fall across Tokai, Kanto-Koshin, the Izu Islands, and Tohoku through Monday. Rainfall totals could reach 250 millimeters in Kanto, Tokai, and the Izu Islands by Tuesday noon, while Tohoku might receive as much as 150 millimeters during the same period. Officials urged residents to stay alert for landslides, flooding, rising rivers, high winds, and large waves. As Typhoon Dujuan continued northeastward over waters near eastern Japan, local warnings and evacuation notices remained in effect and were updated regularly.