Typhoon Kiyoshi threatens Tokyo with 150 km/h winds; evacuations ordered.

Flood and landslide warnings have been issued for Tokyo as a powerful typhoon moves inland, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Thursday afternoon. The storm, named Typhoon Kiyoshi, is expected to make landfall along the Kanto coast within six hours, bringing sustained winds of 150 km/h and torrential rain that could exceed 300 mm in the capital’s western suburbs. Emergency services have ordered residents in low‑lying districts to seek higher ground and have pre‑positioned rescue teams along vulnerable riverbanks.

The warning comes at the height of Japan’s typhoon season, which runs from June to October and has grown more intense in recent years. Last summer, Typhoon Koinu dumped over 400 mm of rain on the same area, triggering deadly landslides in Chiba and flooding that shut down the Shinkansen for two days. Climate scientists say warmer ocean temperatures are feeding stronger storms, and Tokyo’s dense urban landscape amplifies the risk of flash floods and slope failures. Authorities are also mindful of the city’s aging infrastructure; many drainage tunnels were built in the 1970s and struggle to cope with today’s extreme precipitation.

The government has mobilised more than 2,000 police officers and fire‑rescue personnel to enforce evacuations in neighborhoods near the Tama River and the foothills of the Okutama region. Train operators have already cancelled 45 % of commuter services on the Yamanote line, and airlines are delaying flights at Haneda and Narita airports. Residents have been urged to stock up on food, water, and batteries, and to avoid travel on flooded roads. The JMA will issue hourly updates through the night, and the prime minister’s office said it will assess damage and declare a state of emergency if the storm’s impact exceeds current forecasts. The coming hours will determine how quickly Tokyo can avert a disaster that could affect millions of commuters and residents.