Typhoon Shanshan, a formidable storm with winds reaching 216 km/h (134 mph), is wreaking havoc across southern Japan, particularly as it nears the Amami archipelago. The severe weather has led to significant disruptions in travel, impacting both bullet trains and air services.

On Tuesday morning, heavy rainfall caused a temporary suspension of bullet train services between Hamamatsu and Toyohashi. Though service was quickly restored, delays and cancellations continued across the high-speed rail network, affecting routes managed by Central Japan Railway and West Japan Railway.

Travelers are advised to anticipate possible further interruptions in bullet train operations throughout the week, depending on the storm’s trajectory. In the aviation sector, the storm has had a considerable effect. Japan Airlines has canceled 116 domestic flights and six international flights for Tuesday and Wednesday. All Nippon Airways (ANA) has also called off 68 domestic flights from Wednesday through Friday, primarily impacting routes to and from Kagoshima, the Amami Islands, and Osaka.

JMA issues weather alerts

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued severe weather warnings for the affected areas. They predict up to 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) of rainfall on Amami Island within the next 24 hours and up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) in the Kyushu region from Wednesday to Thursday. Residents are advised to prepare for strong winds, high waves, landslides, flooding, and potential river inundations.

Wind speeds are forecasted to reach 90 mph in southern Kyushu and the Amami region starting Tuesday, with a possible increase to 110 mph by Wednesday. Despite the intense conditions, there have been no reports of significant damage so far.

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Travel woes due to Typhoon Shanshan

The travel chaos caused by Typhoon Shanshan underscores the need for traveller's to stay informed about their transport options. Those planning to travel are encouraged to regularly check the status of their services and remain alert for potential delays and cancellations as the storm progresses.

Historically, the region has faced several tropical storms and typhoons between May and July. This year, it has encountered three tropical storms, two typhoons, and one major typhoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This contrasts with the average number of weather events typically experienced from 1991 to 2020, which includes approximately eight tropical storms, four typhoons, and two major typhoons in the same period.