Tropical Storm Shanshan is causing unsteady atmospheric conditions over parts of Japan and may still dump heavy rain in some regions. A Japanese expert on rain-triggered disasters says it is more important for people to watch out for warnings issued in their own municipalities than to pay attention to the location and force of a storm.
Shizuoka University Professor Ushiyama Motoyuki says he is concerned about too much focus being given in social media posts and elsewhere to the typhoon being downgraded or its location.
Ushiyama says being some distance from a storm does not ensure safety, as downpours could cause disasters, regardless of whether a typhoon turns into a tropical depression or not.
He calls on people to keep updated with the latest weather and disaster prevention information when warnings about heavy rain or other dangers have been issued.
Ushiyama also says people shouldn’t drive on flooded roads.
He says that the main risk factors are not only water depth, but also the speed of moving water, which is difficult for drivers to predict when they are behind the wheel.
Ushiyama says a mistaken decision may lead to the loss of life. He says drivers are more likely to think that they can drive through a flooded area during daytime than at nighttime, but they need to exercise restraint at all times.