Typhoon Wipha (2013)

Early on October 8, 2013, the United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that a tropical disturbance had developed within an area of low to moderate vertical wind shear, about to the east-southeast of Anderson Air Force Base on the island of Guam. During that day, atmospheric convection started to wrap around into a consolidating low level circulation center, before the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) started to monitor the system as a tropical depression early the next day. During October 10, the JTWC initiated advisories on the system and designated it as Tropical Depression 25W. Afterwards, 25W had intensified and have been declared a tropical storm, while the JMA gave the tropical storm name Wipha (1326). Later on, the JMA classified Wipha as a severe tropical storm when it strengthened on October 11, and later on October 12, 2013, Wipha intensified into a typhoon. As it was slowly moving, Wipha entered an area of warm waters and low wind shear. Due to this, the cyclone rapidly intensified into a minimal category 4 typhoon. As it did, Wipha developed a compact, small, clear eye. On the noon of October 14, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, also known as PAGASA, noticed that Wipha had entered the Philippine area of responsibility. As it did, it received the Philippine name Tino. As it weakened into a category 3 typhoon, then into a category 2 typhoon, Wipha left PAGASA's area of responsibility . Early on October 15, Wipha rapidly enfeebled as the ocean waters surrounding the typhoon began to cool as it approached Japan with category 1 status. As it came closer, it dumped very heavy rain in many areas of East Japan, killing 25. Afterwards, it was then reported that an additional 16 people perished due to landslides and flashfloods. As it continued to speed up, Wipha's extratropical remnant low was last noted by the JMA during October 18, after it had crossed the international dateline and moved out of the JMA's area of responsibility. ==Preparations and impact==

In anticipation of heavy rains at the debilitated Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) placed sandbags around a drainage ditch holding back radioactive water. Typhoon Wipha weakened as it skirted Japan's eastern coastline on October 15. Though the storm caused only limited damage on the mainland, it spawned a massive landslide on the island of Izu Ōshima, killing at least 31 and leaving 13 others missing. In addition, a woman was killed in western Tokyo, and the body of one of two schoolchildren who went missing near Kanagawa was later found. A man in Chiba and the other child were still reported missing, in addition to the victims on Oshima. At least 350 homes were destroyed throughout Japan, mostly on Izu Ōshima. On October 24, it was announced that radiation levels in water near the Fukushima nuclear plant reached an all-time high of 140,000 becquerels, greatly surpassing the previous peak of 59,000 becquerels. The spike in radiation is at least partially attributed to torrential rains from Typhoon Wipha. Izu-Oshima in Izu-Oshima by Wipha During October 15, the JMA issued a mudslide warning for the volcanic islands of Izu-Oshima and Miyakejima, which was subsequently relayed to the Tokyo Metropolitan government which sent a fax transmission to the affected local governments. However, while the Miyakejima government got the warning and advised residents to evacuate, the staff in the Izu-Oshima town office had left for the day with only a security guard left on duty. As a result of the rainfall several landslides, debris flows and slope failures were recorded in the thin volcanic ash layer of hillside surfaces, which resulted in at least 41 fatalities. During the systems aftermath the Government of Japan quickly established a disaster response office in Oshima Town, to support the evacuation of residents and help prevent any secondary disasters. ==See also==