Life in Japan

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

#15 Typhoon "Roke" is approaching

We have had pouring rain, gusty winds and sudden thunderstorms on us several times during the night.
Now as this typhoon #15, "Roke" is making a landfall close to Hamamatsu area we are soon enclosed into the "storm system" moving about 35 -40 km/h northwards. The rain has become more driving and heavier and the wind is howling in the corners of the house.
Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting 450mm to 500 ml rainfall to Kanto area, max. windspeed in gusts is about 60m/s and the wave hight is currently about 9 m at open sea areas and 3m at Tokyo Bay area.
We keep up to date with the evolving situation by watching the NHK News from TV and following the updates from Japan Meteorological Agency`s web site. Currently it seems that the shinkansen trains services in Tokai, Kanto and Hokuriku areas have been discontinued. There are also reports of flash floods, landslides and rivers bursting their banks.
I`m so happy that we don`t have to go out today. The school was cancelled today and the kids we so happy to have a day off today. So currently we are all curled up side by side on the couch surfing in the internet and watching TV. We still have several hours ahead with the storm system raging around us but so far all is well with us :)