Japan's Islands Hit by Two Successive Tropical Storms
The Izu archipelago have endured another powerful blow as tropical cyclone Nakri moved across the area on Monday, following in the footsteps of storm Halong, which struck seven days prior.
Immediate Impact on Hachijojima Island
Local authorities on Hachijojima reported disruption and damage to about 220 homes after the storm brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and wind bursts reaching 95mph. Airport operations were disrupted, public facilities harmed, and intense rains caused ground slides across the group of islands. The storm also produced waves as high as 9 meters, creating dangerous coastal conditions. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in the Kanagawa region, three men were swept away while fishing, with one fatality reported.
The Evolution of Nakri
The storm has since shifted into an non-tropical storm system, weakening as it moved eastwards over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remnants are on track to reach British Columbia, Canada, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surges.
Recalling Halong's Fury
A week earlier, Halong discharged over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as peak wind speeds hit 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, precipitation levels climbed to 349mm, breaking the daily rainfall record. The storm's leftovers then traveled over the northern Pacific and reached Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.
Significant Harm in Alaska
The seaside communities Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. A single fatality occurred, houses were ruined, and about 1,500 residents were forced into shelters. Alaska experienced one of the largest airlifts in its history to relocate affected individuals. Halong remains one of the most powerful storms the area has ever seen. Its rapid intensification was driven by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which provided extra heat and moisture.
Double Trouble in Mexico
Meanwhile, the nation endured a double blow last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond combined, releasing nearly 609mm of precipitation over four days across central and eastern regions. Steered by a dip in the jet stream, both systems hit the same area in quick succession. The first deluge from Priscilla made the soil waterlogged, worsening floods as Raymond approached. Over 300 localities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. As of Wednesday, 66 people have been confirmed dead and 75 remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in isolated areas.
