Typhoon Dujuan Caused Huge Damage in Yonaguni, South Island of Okinawa

Typhoon Dujuan, the 21st Typhoon of the year, has completely destroyed at least 10 houses and caused damages for over 200 houses in Yonaguni Island in Okinawa, the westernmost Islands in Japan. The incredible string wind marked the maximum instantaneous wind speed of 81.1 meters on September 28. The winds were the strongest on the island since the record has been taken almost 60 years ago.

The damage of this typhoon is big. Roofs of Junior high schools, gymnasium halls have been came off. The levee of offing at coastal areas has been damaged as well. In term of agriculture, products such as sugar canes have fallen away. The exact damage and situation at Yonaguni Island and Ishigaki Island is still undiscovered.

People who live in Yonaguni Island get everyday goods from the main Islands. There is a big cargo ship exporting all the stuff once a week from Naha, the capital of Okinawa and a small ferry to carry food and things twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Because of the Typhoon 21, strong winds increased the heights of waves and it was dangerous to be out in the sea. Thus, all cargo ships and ferries were not allowed to do their business.  Both ferry and cargo ship will reach Yonaguni Island with a delay of one day if the weather gets better on Wednesday.

This typhoon has caused power outage to many homes in the city. 9 P.M. in the evening of 29th on Tuesday, the supply of lines to home phone as well as the internet are stopped for roughly about 400 homes.  This is because the communication cables are damaged by the strong wind and needed to be recovered. Employees of power companies and telecommunications companies have started recovery work on Tuesday afternoon using helicopters of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

News Souce: NHK