Japan's Islands Struck by Back-to-Back Typhoons
The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as Typhoon Nakri moved across the area on Monday, coming just after storm Halong, which hit a week earlier.
Initial Consequences on Hachijojima Island
Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to approximately 220 residences after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, public facilities harmed, and intense rains caused ground slides across the island chain. The storm also produced waves as high as 9 meters, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in the Kanagawa region, three fishermen were carried off by waves, one of whom has been confirmed dead.
Nakri's Transformation
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. Riding the jet stream, 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 over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The storm's leftovers then crossed the north Pacific and reached 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. One person died, homes were destroyed, and nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. Alaska experienced one of the largest airlifts in its history to relocate affected individuals. Halong stands as one of the most powerful storms the area has ever seen. Its quick strengthening was fuelled by abnormally hot northern Pacific seas, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation 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. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, both systems hit the same area in quick succession. The first deluge from Priscilla left the ground saturated, worsening floods as Raymond approached. More than 300 communities were affected by landslides and overflowing rivers. As of Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in isolated areas.
