Japan battered by Typhoon Phanfone
Packing gusting winds and huge waves, Typhoon Phanfone has left at least six people dead in Japan. Five others, including two US servicemen, remain missing. In the meantime, authorities have issued more flood warnings.
Strong winds
With winds of up to 112 miles (180 kilometers) per hour the powerful typhoon whirled over Tokyo and other major cities during morning rush hour on Monday, October 6, leaving at least five people dead and a trail of damage across the Japanese archipelago. Localized flooding and landslides were also reported.
Casualties
Among the dead was a US military official who had been photographing the storm along with two still-missing colleagues who were engulfed by high waves triggered by the typhoon on the southern Okinawa island chain, local police said. About 62 people were injured across the country in storm-related accidents, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Seeking shelter
In the central Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, more than 50,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes, while more than 1.7 million others were advised to take refuge, local authorities said. Tens of thousands of households lost electricity in eastern and central Japan, while rainfall reached 87 millimeters per hour in the city of Shizuoka.
Travel chaos
The strong winds and heavy rain of Typhoon Phanfone also led to travel chaos throughout a swathe of the archipelago. More than 600 flights were grounded and dozens of bullet train services were canceled, leaving travelers stranded in stations. The storm also battered Japan's auto industries, with Toyota Motor temporarily suspending operations at its 12 factories in Aichi, central Japan.
Search suspended
The typhoon also forced rescuers to suspend the search for victims of the September 27 eruption of Mount Ontake in central Japan, where 12 people remain missing. Two more bodies were found near the volcano's summit raising the death toll to at least 51.
Flood warning
The weather agency warned that even as the storm passed out to sea the country may be affected by further landslides and floods.