Japan hit by Typhoon Halong
At least ten people have died as Typhoon Halong wrought havoc across Japan this weekend. With the worst weather conditions over, Halong has been downgraded to a tropical storm as the clean up begins.
Coastal damage
The typhoon caused high waves which thrashed against Japan’s long coastline. After sweeping across the country’s largest and most populous island, Honshu, the storm moved over the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and is now making its way towards the far east coast of Russia.
Fears realised
Over the weekend around half a million people were ordered to evacuate their homes, as officials warned of flooding and landslides. As torrential downpours hit the central Mie prefecture, around 300km west of Tokyo, the Japanese Meteorological Agency on Saturday, August 9, issued the highest alert for heavy rain, meaning a threat to life and the risk of massive damage.
Severe flooding
Streets around the country were partially submerged as the Typhoon battered the west of the country with heavy rain. Around 330 homes were flooded and 70 others damaged by the rising water.
Airport chaos
More than 700 flights were cancelled during the weekend, leaving thousands of holidaymakers stranded at airports around the country. Typhoon Halong made landfall as the annual "Obon" Buddhist summer holiday began in Japan last week, severely disrupting land and air traffic.
Extreme weather
The storm's maximum wind speed was 144 kilometers per hour, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Along with the violent winds, Halong was expected to have dumped at least 30cm (12 inches) of rain in central Japan by Monday morning.
Missing surfer
Lifeguards are now monitoring beaches struck by huge waves. The coastguards are still searching for a man who is thought to have gone missing while surfing off Wakayama in western Japan as the storm hit. A rescue boat and two helicopters have been dispatched. "We have not found any sign of him," a police spokesman told the news agency AFP.