Japan: Typhoon to approach Okinawa Prefecture

A powerful typhoon is forecast to approach Okinawa Prefecture in Japan through August 2, according to Kyodo News. The weather service has issued a warning for severe gusts and storm tides in the area.

Typhoon Khanun has already caused flight cancellations departing and arriving in Okinawa. The typhoon is expected to approach Amami-Oshima Island in southwestern Kagoshima Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The typhoon was traveling north-northwesterly in an area south of the Japanese archipelago as of 11 a.m. (local time).

The typhoon was traveling at about 15 kilometers per hour, with an atmospheric pressure of 960 hectopascals at its core and winds of up to 198 kilometers per hour, according to Kyodo News.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned residents of Okinawa to be on the lookout for mudslides and flooding It also asked citizens to stay home except in emergencies, according to Kyodo News.

In June, heavy rainfall has already created a havoc in Japan resulting in flood warnings and evacuation which impacted at least millions of people. Not just this, but rainfall also disrupted the transportation services such as cancellations of bullet train service like Shinkansen in some areas.