Typhoon Peipah made landfall in western Japan early Friday, bringing torrential rain, damaging winds and the threat of landslides and flooding to multiple regions as it moved along the Pacific coast. The storm first struck near Sukumo in Kochi Prefecture around 1 a.m. local time before making a second landfall in northern Wakayama Prefecture at approximately 9 a.m., prompting widespread weather warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency.
As the 15th typhoon of the 2025 season, Peipah has intensified concerns over severe weather across the country. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the storm is moving eastward and is expected to travel near the coast of the Tokai region and toward the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo, later in the day. Authorities have warned that linear precipitation zones, which produce persistent and extreme rainfall, are likely to form across Tokai, Kanto and Koshin, significantly raising the risk of landslides and flash flooding.
The storm’s impact has already been felt in several prefectures. In Shizuoka, localized downpours reached more than 100 millimeters per hour in some areas. Officials reported a possible fatality in Hamamatsu after an elderly man was believed to have fallen into a waterway during the heavy rain. In nearby Makinohara, high winds overturned a truck, toppled utility poles, and caused structural damage to dozens of buildings.
Local authorities confirmed that six houses were destroyed, 34 others suffered partial damage and at least 23 people were injured. Rainfall totals have been particularly severe in parts of central and eastern Japan. Shimokitayama in Nara Prefecture recorded over 267 millimeters in just 12 hours, while some coastal areas reported hourly rainfall exceeding 120 millimeters.
Typhoon Peipah triggers disaster alerts across multiple prefectures
In Miyagi Prefecture, a sudden burst of rain led to localized flooding and swollen rivers, adding pressure to already strained emergency services. The Japan Meteorological Agency has forecast up to 300 millimeters of rain in the Kanto-Koshin region through Saturday morning, with 250 millimeters expected in Tokai and 150 millimeters in the Kinki region.
Strong wind gusts were also recorded across the region, including a peak of 94 kilometers per hour at Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture during the early morning hours. Transportation across affected areas has been severely disrupted. High-speed Tokaido Shinkansen train services were suspended for several hours due to storm conditions, affecting travel between Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
Warnings continue as Typhoon Peipah tracks toward Tokyo region
Dozens of domestic flights were also canceled or delayed, while local ferry services and regional rail lines suspended operations as a precaution. Emergency management agencies have urged residents in low-lying and mountainous areas to remain alert. Riverbanks in flood-prone zones are being closely monitored, and evacuation advisories have been issued in several municipalities across Shikoku, Kinki and Chubu regions.
Local governments have opened emergency shelters and are coordinating with national agencies to manage potential rescues and relief operations. As of Friday evening, Typhoon Peipah continues to move eastward, with its outer bands already affecting the southern parts of the Kanto region. Authorities are maintaining the highest level of vigilance and are calling on the public to avoid unnecessary travel, monitor official warnings and prepare for prolonged rainfall and further disruptions through the weekend. – By Content Syndication Services.