Japan's Archipelago Hit by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as Typhoon Nakri swept through the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of Typhoon Halong, which struck seven days prior.
Initial Consequences on Hachijojima Island
Officials on Hachijojima Island reported disruption and damage to about 220 homes 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 heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the group of islands. The storm also produced waves as high as 9 meters, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Off the Pacific coast in Oiso, in Kanagawa prefecture, three fishermen were carried off by waves, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
The Evolution of Nakri
The storm has since shifted into an extratropical cyclone, 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 remaining parts are headed to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Remembering Halong's Impact
Seven days before, Halong had unleashed more than 200mm of rain in three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, shattering the 24-hour record. The storm's leftovers then crossed the north Pacific and arrived in Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. One person died, houses were ruined, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. Alaska experienced an historic mass evacuation by air to evacuate displaced residents. Halong stands as one of the most powerful storms the region has experienced. Its rapid intensification was driven by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Twin Disasters in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation faced two consecutive hits last week as the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla and Tropical Storm Raymond combined, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across central and eastern regions. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, both systems hit the same area in quick succession. The first deluge 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. Search and relief efforts persist, with standing water causing health worries in isolated areas.