Typhoon Bebinca threatens Southern Japan with landslide risks ahead of landfall near Shanghai

Typhoon Bebinca swept through Japan's Amami island during the night and into Sunday morning, bringing with it powerful gusts reaching speeds of up to 198 kilometres (123 miles) per hour, as reported by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The agency cautioned residents of the southern Japanese island about the heightened risk of landslides due to the substantial rainfall experienced in the region.
According to the JMA's website, Bebinca is predicted to make landfall in the vicinity of Shanghai in the early hours of Monday.
As the storm progresses, it is anticipated to lose strength and be classified as a tropical storm. The forecaster also mentioned that certain southern regions of Japan can expect heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Experts attribute the escalating risk of heavy rainfall in Japan and other parts of the world to climate change, as a warmer atmosphere has the capacity to hold more moisture.
In the previous month, a strong typhoon caused widespread heavy rains across Japan, resulting in transportation disruptions and claiming the lives of at least six individuals.
The devastating impact of heavy rain was also witnessed in 2021 when a powerful landslide in Atami, a Japanese resort town, tragically took the lives of 27 people.