Japan cancels 100 flights as twin storms approach

Japanese airlines cancelled more than 100 flights on Friday as two tropical storms moved toward the country. Authorities urged evacuations in some regions, warning of potential flooding and landslides.

Severe Tropical Storm Mekkhala, previously a typhoon, was generating gusts up to 144 km/h, with heavy rain already affecting southern and western Japan. Forecasters expect the storm to pass near Kyushu and Shikoku over the weekend. It could interact with Tropical Storm Higos, located further out in the Pacific, potentially creating a Fujiwhara effect that complicates weather predictions.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled 70 and 50 flights, respectively, to and from Okinawa and Kagoshima. The Kyoto region advised thousands of residents to evacuate due to landslide risks. Kyoto and Osaka reported rising river levels, necessitating vigilance against flooding. Toyota suspended operations at a Kyushu plant because of road closures, and Nissan also plans to halt some production lines, according to Kyodo News. The Japanese military also canceled a planned flight of a V-22 Osprey transport aircraft to Miyako Island, which was part of joint exercises with the United States.