Typhoon nears eastern Japan, prompting flood warnings

A powerful typhoon, dubbed Dujuan, is set to approach Japan's Pacific coast on Monday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The weather agency has warned that this typhoon could bring torrential rain, strong winds, and a heightened risk of landslides to the Kanto region and other eastern parts of Japan. As the typhoon is forecast to pass close to the Tokyo metropolitan area later in the day, conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly.

Heavy rainfall has already impacted areas such as the Izu Islands, Chiba Prefecture, and other Pacific coastal regions, with some locations receiving over 300mm of rain since Saturday. The JMA anticipates that downpours could intensify from Monday afternoon as the typhoon nears the Kanto region, which encompasses Tokyo and surrounding prefectures.

The agency has cautioned that linear rain bands, which have gained attention in recent years due to their potential to cause severe flooding, could form over the Kanto and central Japan areas. These bands can unleash massive amounts of rain over a narrow area for several hours, significantly increasing the risk of flash floods and other rain-related disasters.

The JMA has advised authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions as the typhoon approaches. Meanwhile, the Asian Games, held in central Japan's Aichi Prefecture, have postponed an equestrian eventing competition until Tuesday due to the imminent typhoon. Authorities are urging residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of the approaching typhoon.