Typhoon 7 is forecast to pass closest to Wakayama Prefecture around early afternoon today, bringing very heavy rain and thunderstorms [1].

The storm's approach threatens the Kinki region with severe weather patterns that could trigger dangerous landslides and disrupt local infrastructure. Residents in coastal and mountainous areas are under high alert as the system moves onshore.

In Kushimoto Town, observers reported large-drop rain causing poor visibility at approximately 9:30 a.m. [1]. Conditions deteriorated further as Pacific waves began to rise around 11 a.m. [1]. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a strong warning for landslides, urging residents to remain vigilant as the moisture-heavy system interacts with the local terrain.

Weather officials expect the center of the typhoon to be closest to Wakayama between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. [1]. The storm is bringing strong on-shore winds and localized thunderstorms that are expected to persist through the evening across the broader Kinki region [1, 2].

"Typhoon No. 7 is expected to be closest to Wakayama Prefecture in the early afternoon," a TBS NEWS DIG reporter said [1].

The meteorological agency continues to monitor the storm's trajectory. "The meteorological observatory is calling for strict vigilance against sediment-related disasters until early afternoon," the agency said [1].

Local authorities in Wakayama have focused on monitoring high-risk zones, including the areas around Hashi-Kui Rock, where heavy rain has already soaked the landscape [1]. The combination of saturated soil and intense rainfall increases the likelihood of slope failures in the region.

“The Japan Meteorological Agency warns of landslide risks as the storm brings poor visibility and thunderstorms.”

The proximity of Typhoon 7 to the Kii Peninsula creates a high-risk scenario where heavy rainfall can quickly destabilize mountainous terrain. Because the Kinki region is prone to landslides during typhoon season, these early warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency are critical for preemptive evacuations and disaster mitigation.