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TRAVEL ALERT: Is Japan Safe? Here's What You Need To Know About Typhoon Jebi

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Nasreen Nasir •  Sep 05, 2018

Typhoon Jebi, the most powerful typhoon has hit Japan in 25 years, slamming into the western part of the country since Tuesday.

In case you’re already in Japan or heading there soon, here’s a brief update on Typhoon Jebi, and what you need to know:

1. Current status of Typhoon Jebi

On September 5, Typhoon Jebi is now hitting the north of Kyoto, travelling back into the sea towards northeast. Osaka and Kobe also took a hit from the storm after Jebi moved in from Honshu. Fortunately, the capital city of Tokyo remains for the most part unaffected.

Credit: Japan Meteorology Agency (JMA)

The strong winds and heavy rain made landfall on the Shikoku Island and continued to intensify across the western part of Honshu. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that wind gusts of up to 208 km/h (129 mph) were recorded in Shikoku with forecasts for gusts as high as 216 km/h (135 mph).

As of late, the heavy storm have pushed the boundaries of a category 5, with extreme 175mph winds. Reports are still coming in.

2. Any casualties?

At least nine people have been killed by Typhoon Jebi, according to Japanese broadcaster TBS, while around 160 people have been injured.

Credit: @nonaluna71 on Instagram

The victims include a 71-year-old man found beneath a collapsed warehouse and a man in his 70s who fell from a house roof.

3. Are flights being cancelled?

Domestic and international airlines have decided to cancel flights that are scheduled to depart and arrive in airports around western and central Japan.

All Nippon Airways cancelled more than 320 domestic and international flights, and Japan Airlines more than 270 flights on Tuesday, affecting around 57,000 passengers in total. Philippine Airlines has also decided to pull flights around Osaka and Nagoya for the period from September 3 to 4.

Due to that, at least 5,000 people are left stranded at Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture after a tanker smashed into the bridge due to the strong winds and high waves caused by Typhoon Jebi.

Railways are also heavily affected by the typhoon. West Japan Railway Co. has ceased operations for local trains on Monday and plans to stop all local services in the area of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe beginning Tuesday.

If you’re travelling to/from Japan today, it is advisable to check with the airlines on the status of your flight and to make the necessary arrangements should it be cancelled as well.

4. Which areas to avoid?

After hitting the southern and central Honshu, as well as far eastern Shikoku on Tuesday, Typhoon Jebi is anticipated to race toward Hokkaido today. NHK has reported that more than 1.6 million people are currently without power in Osaka, Kyoto and nearby areas.

5. Emergency contact numbers

If you’re on the ground right now, do contact your respective embassies in Japan to notify them on your safety and to seek further advice.

Credit: Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo on Facebook

a) Malaysian Embassy in Japan

Address: 20-16 Nanpeidai-cho, Shibuya-ku, 150-0036 Tokyo

City: Tokyo (Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +9 hours)

Tel.: +81-3-3476-3840/9

Fax: +81-3-3476-4971

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 – 12.30 and 13.30 – 17.00

b) Singaporean Embassy in Japan

Address: 5-12-3- Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

City: Tokyo

Tel.: (+81) 3 3586 9111/ (+81) 3 3586 9112

Fax: (+81) 3 3582 1085/ (+81) 3 5561 9176

Working hours: 09.00-12.30 and 13.30-17.30

c) Indonesian Embassy in Japan

Address: 2-9 Highashi Gotanda, 5-chome, Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo

City: Tokyo

Tel.: (+81) (3) 3441-4201

Fax: (+81) (3) 3447-1697

6. Weather forecast today

Credit: @iluvatar96 on Instagram

  • Tokyo: Sunny throughout the day
  • Kyoto: Cloudy with a chance of rain
  • Osaka: Sunny