Japan's Archipelago Hit by Back-to-Back Tropical Storms
The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as Typhoon Nakri swept through the area on Monday, coming just after Typhoon Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Immediate Impact on the Island of Hachijojima
Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to about 220 homes after the storm brought 37mm (1.5in) of rain in one hour and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Flight services were interrupted, public facilities harmed, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the group of islands. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in Kanagawa prefecture, three fishermen were carried off by waves, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
Nakri's Transformation
The storm has since shifted into an non-tropical storm system, losing strength while traveling east over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 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.
Recalling Halong's Fury
Seven days before, Halong discharged more than 200mm of rain in 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 crossed the north Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. A single fatality occurred, homes were destroyed, 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 stands as among the strongest cyclones the area has ever seen. Its quick strengthening was driven by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.
Twin Disasters in Mexico
Meanwhile, the country faced two consecutive hits last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond converged, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across central and eastern regions. Guided by a trough in the air current, both systems hit the same area in quick succession. The initial heavy rains from Priscilla made the soil waterlogged, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. Over 300 localities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. By Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with standing water causing health worries in remote zones.