Japan orders mass evacuation, cancels flights as Typhoon Mekkhala nears; Taiwan shuts schools
Japan ordered more than two million people to evacuate and cancelled hundreds of flights on Friday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached with winds up to 144 km/h, while Taiwan shut schools and offices amid torrential rain.
Mass evacuations and transport chaos
Japanese authorities ordered more than two million people to seek safety on Friday as Typhoon Mekkhala barrelled toward the country with maximum sustained winds of 144 km/h. The evacuation order, issued by the government in Tokyo, covered several prefectures in the south and west and was accompanied by warnings of flooding and landslides. While some reports put the number of evacuees at over two million, others noted that the Kyoto recommendation affected several thousand residents who were advised to leave due to landslide risks. Dozens of train services were suspended and many expressways closed. Airlines cancelled between 100 and 200 flights, with Japan Airlines scrapping 70 services and All Nippon Airways 50, primarily affecting Okinawa and Kagoshima. Toyota temporarily halted production at a plant in Kyushu.
- Japan Airlines
- 70 flights
- All Nippon Airways
- 50 flights
Storm path and the Fujiwhara effect
Mekkhala, classified as a severe tropical storm, is forecast to track along the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku over the weekend. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned it could merge with Tropical Storm Higos, which was located farther out over the Pacific on Friday. Such a merger would produce the Fujiwhara effect, a phenomenon where two cyclones interact, making their future paths and intensity highly uncertain. The effect, named after the Japanese meteorologist who first described it, complicates forecasting and can lead to erratic storm behaviour. The potential merger could create a larger, more powerful storm system, further complicating already dangerous conditions. Kyoto and Osaka prefectures reported rising water levels in major rivers and urged residents to remain vigilant against potential flooding.
- Heavy rain begins in southern and western Japan; evacuation orders issued; flights cancelled.
- Mekkhala tracks along Kyushu and Shikoku; possible merger with Higos.
- Fujiwhara effect may occur; continued heavy rain and flood risk.
- Rain continues but expected to ease early next week.
Taiwan shuts down, TSMC operates normally
In Taiwan, the storm unleashed torrential downpours, prompting authorities to close offices and schools across large parts of the island. The shutdown included Hsinchu, home to the world's largest contract chipmaker TSMC. The closures affected millions of residents and disrupted daily life. The company, however, said it had taken precautions and that operations at all its domestic factories were proceeding normally. The rain is expected to continue for the next few days but ease next week.
We have prepared for the storm and operations at all our factories in the country are running normally.
Military and other disruptions
The Japanese military cancelled the first scheduled flight of a V-22 Osprey aircraft to Miyako Island, which was part of joint exercises with the United States, Kyodo news agency reported. The cancellation underscored the storm's wide-ranging impact on military readiness. The rain is forecast to persist through the coming days but gradually taper off early next week.
