Japan begins clean-up after Typhoon Dujuan kills 4, batters east

Residents of a wide swathe of eastern Japan were picking up the pieces on Tuesday after Typhoon Dujuan tore through the area the previous day, causing extensive flooding, landslides, power outages, flight cancellations and at least four deaths.

Nearly 2 million people were instructed to evacuate their homes in low-lying coastal areas, or be prepared to move at short notice, after the Japan Meteorological Agency had warned that the typhoon posed an “imminent threat to life”.

While the evacuation order has since been lifted, authorities are still warning residents to beware of landslides in areas where heavy rain has destabilised hillsides.

The storm hit at the start of a three-day “silver week” national holiday, affecting travel plans, festivals, outdoor musical performances and sporting events, including the 20th Asian Games being held in central Japan.