Typhoon Shanshan causes chaos at Japanese airports and railways
Passengers on a Japanese airplane experienced moments of horror as the aircraft approached for landing, swaying dangerously while battling strong gusts of wind. "I don't even want to imagine what the passengers felt," commented internet users.
8:56 AM EDT, August 31, 2024
Tropical storm Shanshan took its toll on pilots landing at Fukuoka Airport in Japan. Numerous recordings showing airplanes grappling with strong wind gusts have surfaced on social media. One video, in particular, has evoked especially strong emotions among internet users. The short and terrifying film shows an airplane swaying as it struggles to maintain its course toward the airport.
Comments under the video vividly illustrate how frightening the recording is. Many internet users admitted they don't even want to imagine passengers' emotions. Another person commenting on the video added that it "changed her mind about traveling". "Oh my God," wrote one internet user briefly.
A female internet user who experienced something similar also commented on the video. She admitted that the worst moment was when the airplane suddenly ascended sharply. "That ascent would have scared me," wrote another commenter, referring to the maneuver visible in the video.
There were also people congratulating the pilot on a "job well done".
The strongest typhoon to hit Japan
Typhoon Shanshan, whose strength can be seen in the recording of the airplane attempting to land at Fukuoka Airport, contributed to the deaths of at least six people and injured 120 others. According to AFP, it was one of the most powerful typhoons to hit Japan in recent decades.
After passing over Kyushu, Typhoon Shanshan turned into a tropical storm. And although its strength weakened, it still caused destruction, leading to floods and landslides. Japanese authorities emphasize that although the wind weakened from 155 mph to 56 mph, its strength is still significant and poses a real threat.
The problem arose not only in air traffic but also in rail transport. In the city of Nagoya in the southern part of the island of Honshu, high-speed Shinkansen train services were suspended. Meteorologists indicate that although Shanshan will weaken a bit now, heavy rainfalls will still be a burden for the residents.