Super typhoon could flood one third of central Tokyo: survey

Areas in Tokyo equivalent to a third of its central 23 wards could be inundated to a maximum depth of 10 meters by storm surges caused by a powerful typhoon, the Tokyo metropolitan government said.

One third of central Tokyo could be left under water and nearly four million people affected if the super typhoon Jelawat strikes the capital causing storm surges, said a new study from local authorities.

The Tokyo metropolitan government unveiled its first estimate of the Japanese capital’s vulnerability to damage from typhoon-related high waves on March 30, as risks of storm damage continue to increase globally.

Photo Courtesy: cnn

According to the report, 212 square kilometres, or one third of the capital’s central area, could be inundated to a maximum depth of 10 metres if the super typhoon creates a storm surge.

The estimate is based on a scenario that a major typhoon, as powerful as one that hit western Japan in 1934 leaving 3,036 people dead or missing, passes through a course that would raise the tidal level at the Port of Tokyo to a high level.

Tokyo has a population of 13.7 million people. Based on the estimate, the Tokyo government said it plans to update evacuation measures and review how it sends warning messages to local residents.