Typhoon Shanshan wreaks Havoc in Japan: Heavy downpours, landslides, and power outages

Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on the southern island of Kyushu in Japan, bringing torrential rain and strong winds, causing widespread disruption and raising alarms over potential flooding and landslides. (Photo: AFP)

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its highest-level warnings, urging residents in affected areas to seek refuge in community centres and other public facilities.

Authorities warned the storm could be one of the strongest ever to hit the region, and local governments have issued evacuation orders for millions of residents in several prefectures, as reported by Reuters news agency. (Photo: AP)

Footage from Japan Broadcasting Corporation showed walls torn and window glass of buildings broken in Miyazaki with objects scattered on the street or hanging from utility poles. (Photo: AP)

Japan's Disaster Management Minister, Yoshifumi Matsumura, warned that the typhoon could bring "unprecedented" levels of violent winds, high waves, storm surges, and heavy rain. (Photo: AP)

The storm's impact has led to widespread disruption, with hundreds of domestic flights cancelled and train services suspended across southwestern Japan. (Photo: Reuters)

The storm slowly advanced northwards at 15 kph, with sustained winds of 144 kph. The heavy downpour caused a landslide that buried a house in the central city of Gamagori, resulting in the deaths of three residents and injuring two others. (Photo: AFP)

Scientists believe that climate change is also reshaping the behaviour of tropical storms, including typhoons, making them less frequent but more powerful. Shanshan had peaked at Category-4 strength before making landfall, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. (Photo: AFP)