Japanese Islands Hit by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri swept through the region on Monday, coming just after storm Halong, which hit seven days prior.
Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima
Officials on Hachijojima Island noted interruptions and destruction to approximately 220 residences after the storm brought 37mm (1.5in) of rain in one hour and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, infrastructure damaged, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the island chain. The typhoon also produced waves as high as 9 meters, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Off the Pacific coast in Oiso, in the Kanagawa region, three men were swept away while fishing, with one fatality reported.
The Evolution of Nakri
The storm has since shifted into an extratropical cyclone, weakening as it moved eastwards over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Moving along the air current, its remaining parts are headed to reach British Columbia, Canada, 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 storm's leftovers then traveled over the northern Pacific and reached Alaska on Sunday, causing an unprecedented 2-meter coastal surge.
Alaska's Severe Damage
The seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the most affected. A single fatality occurred, houses were ruined, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. The state underwent an historic mass evacuation by air to evacuate displaced residents. Halong stands as among the strongest cyclones the area has ever seen. Its quick strengthening was fuelled by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation faced two consecutive hits last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond combined, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across the central and eastern areas. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The first deluge from Priscilla left the ground saturated, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. More than 300 communities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. As of Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 individuals are still unaccounted for. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with standing water causing health worries in remote zones.