Tropical Storms Mekkhala and Higos Trigger Floods, Landslides and Evacuations Across Japan and Taiwan

On June 26-27 2026, tropical storms Mekkhala and Higos struck western Japan, delivering torrential rain that triggered landslides, river flooding, and transport disruptions. A 70-year-old man died and three people were injured when a house collapsed in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Flood alerts covered Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima, where more than 30 homes were inundated.

Associated PressFloods and landslides as two tropical storms pound Japan2 tropical storms pound Japan with floods and landslides, killing 1Associated PressThe IndependentReuters

The storms intensified a stationary seasonal rain front that had stalled over Japan. Warm, moist air from Mekkhala and Higos fed the front, boosting rainfall across the Kinki and Kyushu regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency classified Mekkhala as a tropical storm after it passed the Ryukyu Islands and warned of heightened precipitation nationwide.

The Independent

• June 26 (Fri): Heavy rain triggers Yamaguchi landslide (1 dead, 3 injured); man falls into Nara waterway; flood alerts issued; evacuation orders for coastal and mountain zones.

Associated Press

• June 26-27: >200 flights cancelled; dozens of trains suspended; expressways closed.

Reuters

• June 27 (Sat): Mekkhala expected to reach western Japan; Higos forecast to approach east, raising landslide and flood risk.

Associated Press

• Fatalities: 1; Injuries: 3 (Japan).

2 tropical storms pound Japan with floods and landslides, killing 1

• Homes flooded: >30 (Nara, Hiroshima).

Associated Press

• Flights cancelled: >200; Train services suspended: dozens.

Reuters

• Evacuation orders: ~1 million (Reuters) vs. ~2.2 million across 13 prefectures (Independent).

Reuters

• Taiwan: ~3.3 ft (?1 m) of rain in Pingtung; 6 million people in four affected regions; no reported casualties.

Reuters

• Barrier-lake evacuations in Hualien: ~200 residents.

Reuters

Kyoto residents filmed the Kamo River churning with mud. Seika town raised emergency level 5 after a landslide. In Nara, a man slipped into a waterway and was hospitalized. In Zhubei, Taiwan, a dessert-shop owner reported knee-deep water inside his shop.

Associated Press

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of continued heavy rain and possible landfall of both storms. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency issued flood alerts and ordered evacuations. Japan’s Land Ministry reported transport shutdowns, including many expressways, and expressed landslide concerns. Toyota announced a brief halt at its Kyushu plant, resuming work on Friday’s second shift. Taiwan’s ministries closed schools and offices in Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Tainan; TSMC said its factories remained operational and precautionary measures were in place.

ReutersThe Independent2 tropical storms pound Japan with floods and landslides, killing 1Associated PressAssociated PressFloods and landslides as two tropical storms pound Japan

Sources differ on the scale of evacuations: Reuters cites roughly 1 million people, while the Independent reports 2.2 million across 13 prefectures. No official casualty figures have been released for Taiwan, and precise rainfall totals for Japan remain unspecified.

Reuters

"Last night the rain wasn't too bad. But this morning the rain didn't stop," — Chi, dessert-shop owner, Zhubei, Taiwan.

The Independent

Mekkhala is expected to reach the Tokyo area Saturday, while Higos may make landfall on Japan’s east coast later in the week. Authorities will keep high-level warnings, continue evacuations, and monitor barrier-lake levels in Taiwan. Forecasts show rain persisting for several days, sustaining flood risk and possible infrastructure impacts.

The Independent