Sunday 4 October 2026
Afternoon EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
World

Typhoon Dujuan death toll rises to five as record rain hits Japan

Storm pulls away from eastern coast, leaving tens of thousands without power and dozens under evacuation orders

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources6 outlets
The death toll from Typhoon Dujuan has risen to five, according to The New York Times, as the storm brought record rainfall to Japan's eastern coast before moving away into the Pacific on Tuesday. Four deaths had previously been reported by the BBC, with the Guardian citing at least four killed and 22 injured. More than 74,000 people remained under evacuation orders in the Tokyo region as authorities warned of landslides and floods.

Typhoon Dujuan, Japan's 25th typhoon of the year, battered Tokyo and surrounding prefectures with sustained winds of 130km/h (81mph) and gusts of 194km/h. The storm cut power for initially 50,000 people, with tens of thousands still without power on Tuesday morning. Most evacuation orders were lifted as the storm moved away, but a danger-to-life warning remained in place in Oshima Town.

The fatalities were from landslides in Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures, with six others reported missing, according to public broadcaster NHK. The storm forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights and rail services, as well as events including the Rock in Japan music festival and the Tokyo Game Show.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered condolences to those who lost their lives and said she had instructed officials to respond with utmost preparedness. She proceeded with a planned trip to the United States. The typhoon is the latest in a series of Pacific storms made more intense by a "super El Niño", which has warmed the ocean and fuelled storm formation.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The typhoon has caused deaths, injuries, and widespread disruption in the Tokyo region, one of the world's most densely populated areas.
  • Record rainfall and landslides highlight the increasing severity of storms linked to climate patterns like El Niño.
  • The government's response and continued travel of the prime minister amid the disaster may draw public scrutiny.

Background

Typhoon Dujuan struck Japan during a five-day holiday period, forcing the cancellation of major events. It is part of a series of powerful Pacific storms this season, with warmer ocean temperatures from a super El Niño contributing to their intensity. Japan's Meteorological Agency had warned of an "imminent threat to life" at the height of the storm.

Key Perspectives

Affected residents: Those in evacuation centers face uncertainty and property damage, with many still without power on Tuesday. Japanese government: PM Takaichi urged preparedness and expressed condolences but continued her US trip, balancing crisis response with diplomatic obligations. Meteorologists: The storm's intensity is linked to warmer Pacific waters from the super El Niño, a trend expected to continue.

What to Watch

  • Whether the death toll rises further as search efforts continue for the missing.
  • The timeline for restoring power to thousands of households.
  • Potential criticism of the prime minister's decision to travel abroad during the disaster.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe