Typhoon Nangka Threatens Millions in Japan with Flooding and Damaging Winds

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

July 15,2015; 9:20PM,EDT

 

 

Typhoon Nangka remains on a collision course with Japan for later this week, posing significant dangers to lives and property.
Nangka is a powerful typhoon and is expected to remain a typhoon over the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean as it approaches Japan on Thursday.
This animated satellite image of Nangka is courtesy of NOAA.
Nangka will pose a threat only to shipping interests through Wednesday night by churning over open water, but dangers across Japan will be on the rise as Nangka approaches then slams onshore.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey expects Nangka to make landfall "after dark Thursday (local time)."
Latest indications point toward Shikoku facing a direct landfall by Nangka, whose strength at that time will likely be equal to that of a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific (maximum sustained winds of 119-153 kph or 74-95 mph).

Prior to landfall, rain will increase across Japan Thursday with the worst conditions closer to the site of Nangka's landfall.
Shikoku and neighboring parts of Kyushu and southern Honshu will face Nangka's destructive winds, flooding rain and an inundating storm surge later Thursday and Thursday night. Residents should be taking the necessary precautions now, including heeding evacuation orders, to protect lives and property.
Oita, Kochi, Okayama and Osaka are among the cities in the path of Nangka's fury.
"Storm surge will be a serious problem with Nangka with the surge potentially funneling into the Kii Channel and even the Osaka Bay, threatening to flood coastal portions of the Kii Peninsula severely," Duffey warned.
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The greatest storm surge will be near and east of where Nangka makes landfall.
In addition to the storm surge, extremely rough surf will build along the southern coast of Japan later this week, threatening to significantly impact shipping and create life-threatening conditions for anyone who attempts to enter the water.
Nangka threatens to unleash between 150 and 300 mm (6 and 12 inches) of rain in and around Shikoku. Duffey is concerned for significantly higher amounts in localized areas, especially in the mountainous terrain. That amount of rain is sure to trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The threat of heavy rain and localized flooding will extend well away from where Nangka comes onshore.
The Greater Tokyo Area could receive more than 50 mm (2 inches) in 12-24 hours, as a heavy rain band sets up across eastern Honshu later Wednesday night into Thursday. Localized amounts can exceed 100 mm (4 inches) in parts of eastern Honshu.
Impacts from Nangka will be mainly limited to Japan, though a few showers and higher surf will occur in eastern South Korea from Thursday night into Friday.
Residents of Japan and South Korea should continue to check back with AccuWeather for the latest details on this dangerous typhoon.
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to this story