Typhoon Chan-Hom Bears Down on Japan's Kanto Region; Flights Disrupted
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Typhoon Chan-Hom is expected to make landfall over Japan's Kanto region tonight, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the Tokyo metropolitan area. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of potential flooding and landslides as the storm moves west across the country during the Obon holiday period. Major airports in the region, including Haneda and Narita, have cancelled dozens of flights, with Hong Kong carriers Cathay Pacific and HK Express among those affected.
Key Points
- Typhoon Chan-Hom was located approximately 150 kilometres southeast of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture as of 1pm Japan time, with sustained winds of 35 metres per second near its centre .
- The storm is moving southwest at 30 kilometres per hour and is projected to make landfall over the Kanto region tonight, bringing sustained winds and heavy precipitation .
- Haneda and Narita airports have cancelled 64 domestic flights, with All Nippon Airways cancelling 58 flights and Japan Airlines cancelling 6 flights .
- Cathay Pacific flight CX501 from Narita to Hong Kong, scheduled for 10pm tonight, has been cancelled, while HK Express flight UO897 from Sendai is delayed until 7:30pm tomorrow .
- The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts rainfall of up to 180 millimetres in the Tohoku region and 150 millimetres in the Kanto-Koshin area over the next 24 hours .
Why It Matters
The timing of Typhoon Chan-Hom coincides with the Obon Festival, Japan's major annual holiday when millions travel to reunite with family, potentially stranding travellers at airports and disrupting transportation networks . The Japanese government has established an information liaison office at the Prime Minister's Official Residence crisis management centre to coordinate emergency response, underscoring the severity of the situation . Hong Kong travellers planning trips to Japan should monitor airline updates closely as the storm may continue affecting flight schedules into tomorrow.
The timing of Typhoon Chan-Hom coincides with the Obon Festival, Japan's major annual holiday when millions travel to reunite with family, potentially stranding travellers at airports and disrupting transportation networks . The Japanese government has established an information liaison office at the Prime Minister's Official Residence crisis management centre to coordinate emergency response, underscoring the severity of the situation . Hong Kong travellers planning trips to Japan should monitor airline updates closely as the storm may continue affecting flight schedules into tomorrow.