&sq=&lang=&file=File:Rita1975NOAA.gif) Typhoon Rita near peak intensity | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 9, 1975 |
| Extratropical | August 24, 1975 |
| Dissipated | August 25, 1975 |
| Typhoon | |
| 10-minute sustained (JMA) | |
| Lowest pressure | 965 hPa (mbar); 28.50 inHg |
| Category 1-equivalent typhoon | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 150 km/h (90 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 33 total |
| Damage | $114 million |
| Areas affected | Japan |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1975 Pacific typhoon season | |
Typhoon Rita was the most damaging typhoon to affect northern Japan since 1965. A tropical depression developed on August 9, 1975 over the South China Sea. The depression initially meandered offshore Taiwan, but after turning west, it was upgraded into a tropical storm on August 19, only to turn back to the east. While growing considerably in size, Rita strengthened into a typhoon during the afternoon hours of the August 21. Rita then accelerated to the north-northeast in response to a shortwave trough. Midday on August 22, the typhoon reached its peak intensity, with winds of 145 km/h (90 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 965 mbar (28.5 inHg). That evening, the typhoon weakened slightly before making landfall 55 km (34 mi) west of Osaka, with winds of 130 km/h (81 mph). Quickly crossing central and northern Honshu, Rita veered slightly northward before weakening into a tropical storm early on August 23. On the next day, Rita merged with a cold front before transiting into an extratropical cyclone.
Heavy rains caused landslides and flash flooding that was responsible for extensive crop and property damage across Japan. The typhoon contributed to the worst flooding in Hokkaido in ten years. Overall, 33 people were killed and 51 others were injured, including 36 seriously. Fifty-six trains and seventy-five flights were cancelled; ferry services were also disrupted by the storm. Greater than 100 landslides occurred while over 40 bridges were inundated. A total of 48,832 houses sustained flooded and 3,000 dwellings were damaged. Moreover, 177 houses were destroyed, resulting in almost 2,800 homeless families. Twenty-eight ships, as well as 80,033 hectares (197,770 acres) of farmland, suffered damage. Nationwide, the typhoon inflicted 34 billion yen (US$114 million) worth of damage.[nb 1][nb 2]
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