Japan orders evacuation of one million as twin tropical storms bear down; Taiwan counts two dead

Twin storms converge on Japan

Two tropical storms, Mekkhala and Higos, are approaching Japan from different directions and are expected to affect large parts of the archipelago over the weekend. Mekkhala, downgraded from a typhoon but still packing wind gusts of up to 144 km/h, already skirted Taiwan and Okinawa, bringing torrential rain. Higos is moving across the Philippine Sea and could reach the Kanto region near Tokyo by Saturday, where it may merge with Mekkhala.

Taiwan impact: two dead, widespread disruption

In Taiwan, Mekkhala triggered floods and landslides across the island. A 73-year-old woman was swept away in Kaohsiung, and a 49-year-old woman was found dead in her submerged car in Hsinchu. A 65-year-old man remains missing. Offices and schools were closed in Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung, and a section of the main north-south railway was shut. Hsinchu, home to chipmaker TSMC, ordered closures from noon.

“We have taken measures across our Taiwan facilities to prepare for the rain and our factories are operating normally.”

Japan mobilizes mass evacuations

Japanese authorities called on about one million people to leave their homes, primarily in western regions. Initially evacuation orders spanned 2.2 million across 13 prefectures, but the advisory for Okinawa and parts of the south was later lifted. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency warned of landslides and flooding, and the highest emergency level was declared in Seika town, Kyoto, after a morning landslide.

“Currently, there is one seriously injured person and three with minor injuries.”

Transport and industry paralyzed

More than 200 flights were cancelled, including 70 by Japan Airlines and 50 by ANA, affecting connections to Okinawa and Kagoshima. Dozens of train services were suspended and many expressways were closed. Toyota halted production at a Kyushu plant because of road closures, and Nissan said it may temporarily stop some lines. The Japanese military cancelled a planned Osprey flight to Miyako island that was part of joint drills with the United States.

Fujiwhara effect complicates forecasts

Meteorologists warn that if Mekkhala and Higos converge near the main islands, they could trigger the Fujiwhara effect, an atmospheric interaction that makes the storms’ tracks and intensity difficult to predict. Even without merging, heavy rain is forecast to persist, with rivers already rising in Kyoto and Osaka and rainfall expected to intensify in the Tokai and Kanto regions on Saturday.