Japan's Archipelago Hit by Back-to-Back Tropical Storms

The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as Typhoon Nakri swept through the region on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which hit seven days prior.

Immediate Impact on Hachijojima Island

Officials on Hachijojima Island reported disruption and damage to approximately 220 residences after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Flight services were interrupted, infrastructure damaged, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the island chain. The typhoon also generated 9-metre waves, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in Kanagawa prefecture, three men were swept away while fishing, with one fatality reported.

The Evolution of Nakri

The storm has since shifted into an extratropical cyclone, losing strength while traveling east 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

Seven days before, Halong discharged over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By the late morning of the previous Thursday, rainfall totals reached 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The typhoon’s remnants then traveled over the northern Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.

Significant Harm in Alaska

The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the most affected. A single fatality occurred, houses were ruined, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. Alaska experienced one of the largest airlifts in its history to relocate affected individuals. Halong remains among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its rapid intensification was driven by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.

Twin Disasters in Mexico

At the same time, the nation endured a double blow last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond converged, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across the central and eastern areas. Guided by a trough in the air current, both systems hit the same area in quick succession. The initial heavy rains from Priscilla left the ground saturated, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. More than 300 communities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. By Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Search and relief efforts persist, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in isolated areas.