Typhoon Jebi, which struck Osaka Prefecture in 2018, is said to be the first typhoon to have hit a modern metropolis in Japan, and many buildings were damaged. According to experts, the destruction of those buildings could not be explained by the maximum instantaneous wind speed observed by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Urban structures may be to blame. Researchers believe that eddies of wind intensify around high buildings, causing sudden gusts of strong winds that exceed the observed values. In this episode, we will scientifically analyze the mechanism of sudden urban windstorms and explore ways to save lives.
Kindai University Professor Hiroshi NODA studies the relationship between buildings and strong winds
Professor NODA's simulation of strong wind
Kyoto University Associate Professor Tetsuya TAKEMI has been studying the damage caused by Typhoon Jebi
Associate Professor TAKEMI created this simulation of the strong winds during Typhoon Jebi