Typhoon Mekkhala Triggers Mass Evacuations in Japan

Japan is bracing for the impact of Typhoon Mekkhala, a powerful storm currently battering Taiwan with torrential rains and strong winds. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for over 2.2 million people across 13 prefectures in the Kinki and Kyushu regions as of Friday morning. The storm is projected to make landfall over the weekend, raising concerns about potential floods and landslides.

Flight cancellations and suspended train services are widespread, with expressways also affected by the severe weather. Kyoto's Seika town has issued its highest emergency level due to a reported landslide. Meanwhile, Taiwan is experiencing intense rainfall, particularly in its southern regions, leading to the closure of offices and schools in Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung. A section of the island's main railway line has been suspended due to flooding.

Even northern cities like Hsinchu, home to TSMC, have closed facilities due to heavy rain. The chipmaker reported taking precautionary measures, with factories operating normally. Weather forecasts indicate that rain will continue over Taiwan for at least another week, gradually easing. This precipitation is crucial for Taiwan's water reservoirs, which rely on the typhoon season after typically dry winters.