Typhoon Jangmi moves toward Japan’s Kyushu after lashing Okinawa

Typhoon Jangmi is advancing toward Japan’s Kyushu region after impacting Okinawa, injuring several people and forcing widespread travel disruptions. Authorities warn of strong winds, floods and landslides as airlines cancel flights and possible Shinkansen train delays affect western Japan

Tokyo: A severe tropical storm is moving north toward Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu on Tuesday after bearing down on Okinawa the previous day, the country’s weather agency said.

As of 7 am local time, Typhoon Jangmi, the season’s sixth typhoon, was located west-northwest of Amami-Oshima Island between Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures and moving north-northeast at a speed of about 25 km per hour, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

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Over 10 people were injured in Okinawa Prefecture amid strong winds, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting public broadcaster NHK.

Airlines have cancelled over 320 flights in and out of Kyushu and elsewhere on Tuesday, while Shinkansen bullet trains could also be affected, with the Tokaido line facing possible disruptions from Tuesday night into Wednesday, the report said.

The JMA is cautioning against strong winds and heavy rain, citing the potential for landslides, floods in low-lying areas and overflowing rivers in the Amami region on Tuesday and in western Japan from Tuesday into Wednesday. Earlier in September last year, Tropical Storm Peipah left 24 people wounded and 40 houses damaged in four municipalities in the central Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, local media had reported.

The city government in Makinohara received reports of tiles being blown off roofs by strong winds, utility poles collapsing and other incidents, public broadcaster NHK had reported.

The most harm to humans occurred in Makinohara, including three people who were severely wounded and 20 others sustaining light injuries. Meanwhile, an agricultural greenhouse was blown away by strong winds in Yaizu City, leaving a farmer in his 40s with a severe facial fracture, the report said.

Chubu Electric Power Grid Co. said about 17,000 homes in Makinohara and elsewhere were hit with power outages at one point in the prefecture due to the influence of a tornado and strong winds.