Typhoon Ampil Approaches Japan, Disrupting Travel and Causing Flood Risks

Typhoon Ampil Approaches Japan, Causing Disruptions

Typhoon Ampil has made its way toward Japan as of Thursday, bringing with it fierce winds and torrential rain, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and train services in and around Tokyo. The powerful storm was reported to have maximum sustained winds reaching 98 miles per hour, which is equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, according to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Meteorologists anticipate that by Friday, Ampil’s winds could escalate to an impressive 132 mph, categorizing it as a Category 4 hurricane.

The Japan Meteorological Agency’s chief forecaster, Tachihara Shuichi, warned that the storm could unleash up to 7.8 inches of rain on Tokyo and the adjacent areas within a 24-hour window, significantly increasing the risks of landslides and flooding.

Travelers faced overwhelming challenges as they inundated call centers on Thursday. Japan Airlines announced that it would be canceling the majority of its domestic flights as well as some international flights heading to and from Tokyo’s Haneda and Narita airports on Friday. The airline cited concerns regarding “aircraft rotation” due to the impending typhoon.

All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest airline, communicated in an email that it had already canceled over 290 flights scheduled for Friday, which would impact approximately 63,000 passengers.

In addition to flight cancellations, Central Japan Railway took precautionary measures by suspending all rail services, including the renowned Shinkansen bullet trains, between Tokyo and Nagoya, as well as between Nagoya and Osaka, on Friday. The company also cautioned travelers about potential delays extending into Saturday.

• East Japan Railway Company also halted many bullet and express trains around Tokyo on Friday.
• The Japan Coast Guard has issued warnings for large vessels, including container ships, ferries, and tankers, advising them to vacate Tokyo Bay for safer waters away from the storm’s path.

As the forecast predicts, Ampil is expected to track northward along Japan’s eastern coastline on Saturday before veering eastward and moving out into the Pacific Ocean. By that time, the storm’s winds are expected to have diminished to the level of a Category 1 hurricane.

Typhoons are classified as tropical cyclones that typically develop in the Western Pacific or Indian Oceans, characterized by sustained winds of at least 74 mph. In contrast, the term “hurricane” is designated for tropical cyclones occurring in the Atlantic.

Experts have reached a consensus that climate change is a significant factor in the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones, contributing to the likelihood of major storms, as well as influencing the volume of precipitation that such storms can generate.