Typhoon Wipha (2013)

Typhoon Wipha, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Santi, was a powerful tropical cyclone that significantly impacted Japan in October 2013. The twenty-sixth named storm of the 2013 Pacific typhoon season, Wipha developed from a tropical disturbance east of the Northern Mariana Islands. It steadily intensified, reaching typhoon strength on October 12 and further strengthening to become a Category 4-equivalent super typhoon on October 13.

Wipha weakened as it approached Japan, but still made landfall near Izu Ōshima island south of Tokyo on October 16 as a strong typhoon. The storm brought torrential rainfall, strong winds, and high waves to much of eastern Japan, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages.

The areas most heavily affected were the Izu Islands, the Kanto region (including Tokyo), and the Tohoku region. The storm caused significant disruptions to transportation, including flights, trains, and highways. Evacuation orders were issued for hundreds of thousands of residents.

Typhoon Wipha resulted in at least 42 deaths and injuries across Japan. The storm surge and heavy rainfall led to considerable damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and property. Recovery efforts were hampered by the extent of the damage and the ongoing risk of landslides.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) closely monitored the storm's progress and issued timely warnings to the public. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of Japan to powerful typhoons and the importance of preparedness and early warning systems.