Typhoon

August 9, 2014

Powerful typhoon approaches southern Kyushu, 400 flights cancelled

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140809p2g00m0dm040000c.html 

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A powerful typhoon is approaching southern Kyushu, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and high waves, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Saturday.

Typhoon Halong is expected to head toward the Shikoku and Chugoku regions in western Japan, which have already been hit by heavy rain earlier this week, according to the agency.

Airlines, including Japan's two major carriers Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co., have cancelled about 400 flights, affecting passengers planning to return to their hometowns or travel in the summer vacation season.

At 11 a.m., the typhoon was located around 250 kilometers south-southwest of Cape Ashizuri in Kochi Prefecture and was heading north-northeast with an atmospheric pressure of 955 hectopascals at its center and packing winds of up to 198 km per hour.

Rainfall in the 24 hours to 6 a.m. Sunday is expected to reach 700 millimeters in Shikoku, 600 mm in the Kinki and Tokai regions, 400 mm in northern Kyushu and 300 mm in southern Kyushu.

The typhoon is expected to cause waves of as high as 12 meters, the agency said.

August 09, 2014(Mainichi Japan)