Typhoon Ampil Forces Mass Cancellations During Japan’s Major Holiday Week

Hundreds of flights and train services across Japan were cancelled on Thursday as Typhoon Ampil barreled toward the archipelago, disrupting travel in the middle of the nation’s “obon” holiday week. This period sees millions of Japanese people returning to their hometowns, making the impact of the storm particularly disruptive.

Following closely on the heels of Tropical Storm Maria, which brought record rainfall, Typhoon Ampil is expected to graze the Tokyo region late Thursday, potentially affecting nearly 40 million residents. The typhoon is forecast to move along Japan’s Pacific coast through Friday and Saturday, posing significant risks to the country’s densely populated areas.

In response to the approaching storm, All Nippon Airways (ANA) cancelled approximately 280 domestic flights scheduled for Friday, impacting more than 60,000 passengers. Japan Airlines (JAL) also cancelled 191 domestic and 26 international flights, affecting 38,600 passengers.

Additionally, Japan’s extensive bullet train network will see major disruptions, with key services between Tokyo and Nagoya among those set to be cancelled on Friday.

At 9:00 AM (0000 GMT), Typhoon Ampil was located 300 kilometers (190 miles) off the remote Pacific island of Chichijima, with wind gusts reaching speeds of 180 kilometers per hour. The storm, categorized as “strong,” is expected to head back out into the Pacific by Saturday and Sunday.

Disaster Management Minister Yoshifumi Matsumura urged the public to stay vigilant, monitor evacuation advisories, and take early precautions to ensure safety. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings to residents in eastern regions, advising them of the potential for violent winds, flooding, overflowing rivers, and landslides.

Japan frequently experiences severe typhoons, which can trigger deadly landslides. According to a recent study by researchers from universities in Singapore and the United States, typhoons in the region are increasingly forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and lasting longer over land due to climate change. The study analyzed over 64,000 storms, both historical and modelled, spanning from the 19th century to the end of the 21st century.

As Typhoon Ampil approaches, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of preparedness to minimize potential harm during this already challenging holiday week.