Deadly Typhoon 'Jebi' Sweeps Through Japan

Typhoon 'Jebi', with winds reaching speeds of 216 kilometers per hour, has hit Japan. This unprecedented storm in the last 25 years has so far left at least 9 dead and disrupted air transport. The typhoon reached the western coast of Japan on Tuesday afternoon, tearing roofs off some houses, causing destruction, and toppling a 2.5-ton tanker on the bridge leading to Kansai International Airport in Osaka. Air transport has also been disrupted, with reports indicating that thousands of people at major airports are facing delays or cancellations. According to Kyodo News, people stranded at Kansai Airport were evacuated by boat. The death toll has risen to 9, and at least 340 others have been injured. Some victims lost their lives due to collapsing structures, and one victim fell from the second floor of their home. Several people were injured at Kyoto Station due to roof collapses. Power has been cut to over 1.6 million homes in various regions, including Osaka, Nara, Fukui, and Shiga. In areas of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, orders have been issued for citizens to move to safe areas. According to Japanese law, moving to safe areas is not mandatory, and citizens can refuse and remain in their homes. However, in cases of massive sea storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding caused by the storm, this is another reason for destruction and human casualties. NHK reported on Wednesday morning that the typhoon has turned into a 'low-pressure center' in Hokkaido, although officials continue to warn about sea waves in northern areas. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, who was conducting election campaigns for the 'Liberal Democratic' party, has currently suspended his travels to personally oversee disaster relief and response to the aftermath of 'Jebi'. According to Japanese media, he is facing criticism for the government's response to heavy rains in July, which has likely led the government to show more attention to the current storm. During the heavy rains and floods in July, over 220 people lost their lives. This is the first time since 1993 that a storm in Japan's main islands has been classified as 'very strong'. In 1993, a summer storm claimed the lives of 48 people in Japan. The strongest storms and typhoons recorded in recent decades usually had speeds between 230 to 300 kilometers per hour. However, in the case of storms in the Pacific Asian region (typhoons), the wind speeds are typically around 220 kilometers per hour. The strongest recorded storm in this area was the tropical typhoon 'Tip', which struck in 1979, sweeping through the Philippines, Korea, Japan, northeastern China, and the Far East of Russia, leaving dozens dead.