TOKYO, Aug 28 (V7N)- Four members of a family are missing in Japan following a landslide triggered by heavy rain from Typhoon Shanshan. The typhoon was reported to be 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of the southern Amami archipelago on Wednesday morning, with wind gusts reaching up to 252 kilometers (157 miles) per hour.
The landslide occurred late Tuesday in Gamagori, a city in central Aichi prefecture, sweeping away a house where five family members were residing, including a couple in their 70s, two women in their 40s, and a man in his 30s. While one family member was rescued, search efforts for the remaining four have continued through the night.
Authorities are considering issuing a special heavy rain alert for Kagoshima prefecture, which includes Amami, as the weather agency emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance. In response to the approaching typhoon, airlines have canceled numerous flights, and some bullet train services may be suspended depending on the storm's trajectory.
Typhoon Shanshan is expected to move towards the main southern island of Kyushu later this week. This follows the disruptions caused by Typhoon Ampil, which had already affected hundreds of flights and train services earlier this month. Experts have noted that typhoons in the region are becoming more intense and lasting longer due to climate change, raising concerns about future weather patterns and their impacts.
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