Shanshan, Downgraded from Typhoon, Leaves 7 Dead, Damage in Japan

 Firefighters help clean up floodwater out of a house in Ogaki, central Japan, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, following a tropical storm in the area. (Natsumi Yasumoto/Kyodo News via AP)
Firefighters help clean up floodwater out of a house in Ogaki, central Japan, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, following a tropical storm in the area. (Natsumi Yasumoto/Kyodo News via AP)
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Shanshan, Downgraded from Typhoon, Leaves 7 Dead, Damage in Japan

 Firefighters help clean up floodwater out of a house in Ogaki, central Japan, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, following a tropical storm in the area. (Natsumi Yasumoto/Kyodo News via AP)
Firefighters help clean up floodwater out of a house in Ogaki, central Japan, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, following a tropical storm in the area. (Natsumi Yasumoto/Kyodo News via AP)

Tropical cyclone Shanshan, downgraded from a typhoon, left seven people dead and widespread damage as it churned off the Pacific coast of central Japan on Sunday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency continued to warn of landslides, floods and rising water levels in rivers in western and eastern Japan, citing increased risks due to ground loosening from record-breaking rainfall since the storm hit the southern coast on Thursday.

On the Pacific side of eastern Japan, unstable atmospheric conditions caused by rain clouds around the tropical cyclone and the inflow of warm, moist air from a Pacific high-pressure system were causing heavy rain and thunderstorms, the agency said.

Some Shinkansen "bullet train" services remained disrupted, but Tokyo-Osaka service, suspended in some sections, will resume on Sunday evening, Central Japan Railway said.

The seventh death from Shanshan was reported in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan on Sunday, Kyodo news agency said.

Before that, the typhoon had crept eastward, drenching large areas with torrential rain, triggering landslide and flood warnings hundreds of kilometers from the storm's center.



Saudi Arabia Joins Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)
Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Joins Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)
Wetlands host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life and store 30 percent of global carbon. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), has officially joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), underling its commitment to conserving environmental wealth and natural habitats that support rich biodiversity, promote environmental sustainability, and boost the national economy.

Saudi Arabia’s accession underscores its strong support for global efforts to preserve ecosystems in terrestrial and coastal environments, especially as challenges related to water, climate, and biodiversity become increasingly interconnected.

This step reflects the NCW’s broader efforts in leading a comprehensive development plan that supports research, monitoring, and conservation initiatives.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban stated: “The conservation of wetlands directly contributes to ecological balance, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. The Kingdom’s accession to the Ramsar Convention is a strategic step that will reap both environmental and economic benefits.”

The center will implement the convention across Saudi territory in cooperation with relevant stakeholders to protect the Kingdom’s natural assets. It also contributes to national and international conservation efforts by developing and executing plans, policies, and legislation.

The NCW is working to identify suitable sites for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and to ensure their effective management.

Wetlands are more than natural landscapes; they are vital ecosystems rich in biodiversity and natural resources. They host 40 percent of the world’s species and plant life, store 30 percent of global carbon, and serve as essential sources of water, food, medicine, and energy.

Wetlands also support agricultural production, regulate climate, provide ecotourism opportunities, and serve as critical stopovers for migratory waterbirds traveling between continents.