Japan Gets a Whirlwind of Trouble as Storm Krosa Rolls In
Just when you thought the summer was over, Severe Tropical Storm Krosa decided to throw a pre‑Obon party of its own. Rolling in along Japan’s southwestern coast, it brushed the country with gusts of up to 160 kilometres per hour—think of it as a breath of volcanic air.
What the Authorities Are Saying
- Voluntary evacuation was called for
around 550,000 people in Krosa’s path. Nothing like a miracle, but better than none. - The Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported four minor injuries, with a fifth slightly more serious. Good news—no fatalities so far.
- An 18‑person group, including kids, got stranded during a barbecue on a valley floor as a river surged up like a soda can in a heatwave. They’ve since been moved to higher ground, with a rescue team expected to swoop in later that Thursday.
Travel Chaos Follows the Obon Rush
As people hurried home for the holiday’s final wave, Krosa turned the transport system into a circus:
- More than 600 domestic flights were cancel‑capped or delayed to and from western Japan.
- Bullet train services either stopped or operated far fewer cars, leaving commuters in a real “train‑in‑pause” situation.
- Ferry services between Shikoku island and the mainland slipped out of schedule, courtesy of those nasty, towering waves.
Why the Rain Is Going to be the Show‑stopper
Krosa may have weakened since earlier in the week, but it carries an unusually wide eye. That means the rain isn’t just a localized splash—it’s a spread‑splat that could cover a huge area. Coupled with its slow drift of only 20 kilometres per hour, the downpour could keep the skies gloomy for an extended era.
All in all, Krosa’s slow‑moving, wide‑eye tactics make it a storm that’s hard to ignore—especially when it’s stuck around Japanese coastlines during a family‑packed holiday.
