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The Izu archipelago have faced yet another severe impact as tropical cyclone Nakri swept through the region on Monday, coming just after storm Halong, which struck a week earlier.

Initial Consequences on the Island of Hachijojima

Local authorities on Hachijojima noted interruptions and destruction to about 220 homes after the typhoon brought an hour of rainfall totaling 37mm and gusts of up to 95mph (152km/h). Flight services were interrupted, public facilities harmed, and heavy rainfall triggered landslides across the group of islands. The storm also generated 9-metre waves, leading to hazardous shoreline situations. Near Oiso on the Pacific side, in the Kanagawa region, three fishermen were carried off by waves, one of whom has been confirmed dead.

The Evolution of Nakri

The storm has since shifted into an extratropical cyclone, losing strength while traveling east over cooler north Pacific waters, with gusts reducing to around 65mph as of Thursday. Riding the jet stream, its remnants are on track to reach the Canadian province of British Columbia, delivering intense precipitation, powerful gusts, and coastal flooding.

Recalling Halong's Fury

Seven days before, Halong had unleashed over 200mm of precipitation within three hours, as maximum sustained winds reached 122mph. By late morning last Thursday, rainfall totals reached 349mm, shattering the 24-hour record. The typhoon’s remnants then traveled over the northern Pacific and reached Alaska on Sunday, bringing a record-breaking 2-metre storm surge.

Significant Harm in Alaska

The coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were the hardest hit. One person died, houses were ruined, and nearly 1,500 people had to evacuate to safe zones. Alaska experienced an historic mass evacuation by air to evacuate displaced residents. Halong remains among the strongest cyclones the region has experienced. Its rapid intensification was fuelled by unusually warm north Pacific waters, which supplied additional warmth and humidity.

Double Trouble in Mexico

At the same time, the country faced two consecutive hits last week as the leftovers of Priscilla and Raymond converged, dumping about 609mm of rain in four days across central and eastern regions. Guided by a trough in the air current, the two weather events struck the same zone one after another. The first deluge from Priscilla left the ground saturated, intensifying flooding when Raymond arrived. Over 300 localities were impacted by mudslides and river overflows. As of Wednesday, 66 fatalities were verified and 75 individuals are still unaccounted for. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing, with stagnant floodwaters raising health concerns in remote zones.