Typhoon Sansan, moving slowly across Japan today, brought torrential rains and killed up to six people, authorities and local media said.

The typhoon, one of the strongest to hit the archipelago in recent decades, has lost some of its power, but is still accompanied by strong winds, with gusts of up to 126 kilometers per hour.

Authorities declared a state of maximum alert due to the risk of flooding, high waves and landslides in several prefectures and ordered more than five million residents to evacuate their homes.

Six dead from floods and landslides and massive disasters

So far, around 200 buildings have been damaged while on Kyushu Island – which was hit hard yesterday – around 250,000 households have experienced power cuts. Just 65,000 were still without power today, according to the utility, while engineers continue to repair damaged transmission lines.

Before the typhoon even made landfall, landslides triggered by heavy rains claimed the lives of three members of the same family on Tuesday night in central Japan’s Pacific coast of Aichi Prefecture.

Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed four deaths, clarifying that in one of the cases “it is still being investigated” whether there was a “relationship” with the phenomenon. He also said that two more people are missing or presumed dead.

It also reported eight serious injuries and 70 minor injuries after the typhoon hit the southern island of Kyushu with winds of up to 252 kilometers per hour.

The city of Ninomiya, in Kanagawa Prefecture (southwest of Tokyo), called on citizens to take “immediate measures” for their safety, especially to move to higher floors of the buildings where they live, as there is a risk of a river in the area overflowing.

The spa town of Beppu, famous for its hot springs, was not badly damaged, but the typhoon prevented tourists from visiting attractions and forced authorities to close the springs, zoos and even small shops that normally operate 24 hours a day.

Transports and movements were stopped

Overnight, many highways were partially or completely closed in various areas, according to the Japanese press.

Many high-speed Shinkansen services were suspended in Kyushu, while services from Tokyo to Osaka were suspended. Japan’s railway companies have warned there could be problems elsewhere.

Japan Airlines and ANA had already announced the cancellation of more than 600 flights today, following a similar number yesterday. The cancellations affected nearly 50,000 passengers.

Global automotive giant Toyota is keeping the suspension of its 14 plants across the country in effect today. Its major rivals (Nissan, Honda) also suspended activity, but only at their factories in Kyushu, as did semiconductor maker Tokyo Electron, media reported.

Kyushu is important for semiconductor production. Industry giant TSMC of Taiwan opened a factory there in February.

From August 15 to 17, another typhoon, Abil, caused the cancellation of hundreds of train routes, as well as more than 650 domestic and international flights, without causing any injuries or serious property damage.

Hurricanes in the region are now forming closer to shore than before, strengthening faster and staying over land longer because of climate change, a study released in July suggested.