Japan orders evacuations as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, cancels 500 flights
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Typhoon Dolphin was expected to maintain its strength as it approached Okinawa prefecture, raising the risk of winds that could damage or collapse some structures.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Japan ordered nearly 260,000 people to evacuate as Typhoon Dolphin approached with winds up to 198kmh and heavy rain expected.
- More than 500 flights were cancelled and Toyota suspended work at nine factories due to the storm.
- The typhoon threatens flood risks and damage, especially in areas still recovering from a recent earthquake, with heatstroke also a concern.
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TOKYO – Hundreds of thousands of people in south-western Japan were ordered to evacuate and more than 500 flights cancelled on Aug 7 as slow-moving Typhoon Dolphin approached the region to bring violent winds, heavy rain and high waves.
The Category 1 typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 144kmh with gusts reaching 198kmh and was nearing a chain of islands between the Kyushu region and Okinawa prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
Checks by The Straits Times on Changi Airport’s website on Aug 7 showed no flight delays or cancellations between Singapore and Japan for Aug 7 and 8.
The authorities issued evacuation orders for nearly 260,000 residents in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, while Japanese carmaker Toyota suspended work at nine factories on Aug 7.
Dolphin was expected to maintain its strength as it approached Okinawa prefecture, raising the risk of winds that could damage or collapse some structures, the authorities warned.
A linear rain band – a narrow band of intense precipitation and thunderstorms – could also develop, possibly triggering flooding, the weather agency said.
The large storm also enveloped much of the southernmost main island of Kyushu with strong winds, including Kumamoto prefecture, still reeling from last week’s 7.1-magnitude earthquake.
Some 6,700 Kumamoto residents remain in evacuation centres after the collapse of many houses. Japan’s weather agency has also warned of heatstroke risks, with temperatures expected to reach 36 deg C in some areas. REUTERS
