Tropical Storm Maria Causes Devastation in Northern Japan
Tropical storm Maria wreaked havoc across northern Japan, leading to the evacuation of thousands of residents, disruption of transportation, and emergency warnings. The slow-moving storm, though weakened, made landfall near Ofunato City in Iwate prefecture, bringing intense rainfall and strong winds.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported winds up to 72kph as Maria moved northwest at a speed of 20kph across the Tohoku region. This is only the third tropical storm to hit Tohoku’s Pacific coast since records began. Up to 46cm of rain has fallen in the Iwate city of Kuji, with more expected.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency urged 170,000 residents across Iwate, Aomori, and Miyagi prefectures to evacuate. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised swift government support for affected areas. The storm disrupted transportation, with flight cancellations and suspensions of Shinkansen services.
Footage showed flooded rivers in towns like Iwaizumi, where a woman at a shelter learned from a prior typhoon devastation. With the recent earthquake and ongoing storm, Japan faces challenges in recovering and ensuring safety for its residents.
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