Storm Dampens Northern Japan During Obon Holiday

A weakened storm, once Typhoon Maria, has brought heavy rains to northern Japan, disrupting traffic during the Obon holiday. Residents have been advised to seek shelter due to flooding and mudslide risks. The storm made landfall near Ofunato City and has affected travel, including trains and flights.

A weakened storm, formerly Typhoon Maria, has been lashing northern Japan with intense rainfall, causing rivers to swell and disrupting traffic during the Obon holiday week.

Having made landfall near Ofunato City in Iwate prefecture, the storm is moving northwest at 15 kph, now with winds up to 90 kph. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for potential flooding and mudslides, urging 170,000 residents across Iwate, Aomori, and Miyagi prefectures to seek shelter.

No damages or injuries have been reported so far, but significant rainfall has occurred, with up to 46 centimeters in Kuji and more expected. Travel disruptions include suspended local trains and delayed domestic flights. This is the first storm to make landfall in the Tohoku region since 2016.

Local television footage captured swollen rivers and muddy waters. Shelters have seen residents who have learned from the devastation of past storms.