A strong typhoon has reached mainland Japan, bringing heavy rain to wide areas. Coastal areas of northeastern Japan are bracing for high waves.
The Meteorological Agency says Typhoon Guchol is bringing heavy rain and strong winds to wide areas of Japan’s main island Honshu.
The agency reported a low of 965 hectopascals, and says the typhoon is packing winds of up to 180 kilometers per hour. The storm is now moving northeast at 65 kilometers per hour in central Japan.
The agency says some areas will get as much as 40 centimeters of rain by noon on Wednesday.
In western Japan, municipalities have issued evacuation instructions or advisories to 96,000 households due to possible landslides.
The northeastern city of Ishinomaki (near Fukushima) issued an evacuation advisory for 13,000 households for fear of high waves. The city’s coastal area sank due to last year’s devastating earthquake, making it more vulnerable to high waves.
The typhoon has disrupted transportation networks across the country. Airlines have cancelled more than 430 domestic and about 40 international flights.
Sources and more information:
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