Twin Tropical Storms Ravage Japan

In the early hours of June 26, 2026, Japan braced for the approach of two powerful tropical systems—Mekkhala, recently downgraded from a typhoon, and Higos. Both storms moved together toward the southern and western islands, creating a rare Fujiwhara interaction that amplified wind speeds to gusts of up to 108 kilometres per hour and unleashed torrential rain across a wide swath of the country.

The meteorological agencies warned of “extremely heavy rain at warning levels,” prompting the government to advise more than one million people to evacuate coastal and low‑lying areas. Flood‑prone regions in the Kagoshima prefecture experienced the first impacts, with dozens of buildings inundated and three minor injuries reported alongside a serious injury. Within hours, the rain spread northward, raising river levels in Kyoto and Osaka and sparking flood alerts in those major urban centers.

Human tolls escalated as the storms progressed. A 70‑year‑old man in Yamaguchi Prefecture died when a house collapsed in a landslide, and three additional residents sustained injuries. Across the nation, over 30 homes were reported flooded in Nara and Hiroshima, and transportation networks suffered significant disruptions. Train services faced delays, and a total of 120 flights—operated by Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways—were cancelled, affecting travel to and from Okinawa and Kagoshima.

The severe weather also forced industrial shutdowns. Toyota halted operations at its Kyushu plant, and Nissan paused several production lines in response to road closures and safety concerns. The Japanese Self‑Defense Force cancelled a planned V‑22 Osprey transport flight that was part of joint exercises with the United States, underscoring the broad impact on both civilian and military activities.

Beyond Japan’s borders, the storms affected nearby Taiwan, where more than 1,600 people were evacuated, schools and offices were closed, and landslides triggered dangerous debris flows in Hualien, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung counties. Rainfall totals there approached 88 centimetres, illustrating the regional scale of the weather system.

Government officials, emergency responders, and local municipalities coordinated rescue and relief efforts, emphasizing swift damage assessment, support for displaced residents, and restoration of essential services. The events highlighted the importance of preparedness and the resilience of communities facing increasingly extreme weather patterns.

As the storms moved away, authorities continued to monitor river levels and prioritize recovery efforts, reinforcing Japan’s commitment to safeguarding its population against natural hazards.