In Pictures

Japan slammed by most powerful storm in decades

Typhoon Jebi made landfall on Shikoku island before storming west, killing at least nine people.

High waves triggered by Typhoon Jebi are seen at a fishing port in Aki, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan,†in this photo taken by Kyodo September 4, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS ATTENTION ED — High waves triggered by Typhoon Jebi hit a fishing port in Aki, Kochi prefecture, in western Japan. [Kyodo via Reuters]

Typhoon Jebi is the latest extreme weather event to besiege Japan this summer following heavy rains, landslides, floods and a record-breaking heatwave that cumulatively killed hundreds of people.

Japan issued evacuation orders for more than one million people as powerful winds and rain pummeled into the country’s west on Tuesday, killing at least nine people. National broadcaster NHK reported that more than 300 people were also injured.

Wind gusts of up to 208km/h were recorded in one part of Shikoku island, with forecasts as high as 216km/h.

The typhoon inundated the region’s international airport and blew a tanker into a bridge, disrupting land and air travel and leaving thousands stranded.

More than 1.6 million households were without power in Osaka, Kyoto, and four nearby prefectures.

Vehicles damaged by Typhoon Jebi are seen in Osaka, western Japan,†in this photo taken by Kyodo September 4, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A T — Vehicles damaged by Typhoon Jebi in Osaka. [Kyodo via Reuters]

Pedestrians try to hold their umbrellas while struggling with strong winds in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. Heavy rain and crashing surf were striking western Japan as powerful Typhoon — Pedestrians try to hold umbrellas during strong winds in Yokohama. [Koji Sasahara/AP]

A building damaged by Typhoon Jebi is seen in Osaka, western Japan,†in this photo taken by Kyodo September 4, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A — A building damaged by Typhoon Jebi in Osaka. [Kyodo via Reuters]

A woman tries to hold her umbrella while struggling with strong winds in Yokohama, near Tokyo, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. Heavy rain and crashing surf were striking western Japan as powerful Typhoon Jebi — Typhoon Jebi has killed at least eight people so far. [Koji Sasahara/AP Photo]

A tree damaged by Typhoon Jebi is seen in front of Heian Shrine in Kyoto, western Japan,†in this photo taken by Kyodo September 4, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS I — Japan issued evacuation orders for more than one million people. [Kyodo via Reuters]

A 2,591-tonne tanker, which is sent by strong wind caused by Typhoon Jebi, crashes into a bridge connecting Kansai airport, which is built on a man-made island in a bay, to the mainland, in Izumisano, — A tanker pushed by strong winds crashed into a bridge leading to Kansai airport in Izumisano, western Japan. [Kyodo via Reuters]