Typhoon Dujuan Hits Japan, Prompting Evacuations and Cancellations

Almost two million people are under evacuation orders in Japan as Typhoon Dujuan impacts several prefectures. Japan's Meteorological Agency had issued warnings of an "imminent threat to life," with some warnings now downgraded, although the danger to life warning remains in place in Oshima Town. Strong winds from the typhoon have caused power outages affecting over 50,000 people, and hundreds of flights have been canceled while rail services have been suspended. Dujuan has sustained winds of 130 km/h (80.8 mph) and gusts reaching 194 km/h. The storm is part of a series of Pacific storms intensified by the "super El Niño," which has warmed ocean temperatures, contributing to storm formation. The Japan Meteorological Agency has downgraded level three warnings for heavy rain and level four warnings for landslides in most areas, but these warnings remain in Shinagawa Ward, Toshima Village, and Niijima Village. Authorities are advising the public to stay informed about weather updates. Dujuan, the 25th typhoon of the year, has disrupted events during a five-day holiday, leading to the cancellation of concerts at the Rock in Japan music festival and the Tokyo Game Show's Monday program. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has postponed her trip to the United States to monitor the situation. Reports from the Yokosuka City Fire Department indicate a woman in her 60s may have been swept away and buried alive, while a man in his 50s was rescued after being trapped at a landslide site. Firefighters in Kanagawa prefecture received a report of a house crushed by a landslide. Research indicates that Japan may be more exposed to destructive storms, although climate change is not believed to increase the overall number of storms globally. However, as temperatures rise, the intensity of typhoons that do occur is likely to increase. Warmer ocean waters enable storms to gain more energy, resulting in higher wind speeds and heavier rainfall. The ongoing El Niño phenomenon may also influence the strength and formation of typhoons affecting Japan. The typhoon continues to move along the Pacific coast, with the extent of damage expected to be assessed on Tuesday.