Two million people in Japan have been told to seek shelter before the arrival of a huge typhoon later today.
Typhoon Nanmadol as seen from the International Space Station. Photo: Bob Hines / Twitter
Once the typhoon makes landfall in the south, it is expected to turn north-east and move up towards Tokyo.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been urged to evacuate their homes amid warnings of "unprecedented" risks from the approaching storm.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Japan have been urged to evacuate their homes amid warnings of "unprecedented" risks from an approaching storm.
Typhoon Nanmadol is expected to make landfall on Kyushu island on Sunday.
Winds could reach 270km/h and some areas could experience 500mm of rainfall in just 24 hours.
A "special alert" is in force for Kyushu, with warnings of landslides and flooding. Train services and flights have been cancelled.
The major port city of Fukuoka could be in the path of the typhoon. Photo: 123RF
Kyushu is the southernmost of the four islands that make up the main body of Japan and has a population of over 13 million people.
This is the first special alert ever issued outside the Okinawa Prefecture, which consists of the smaller, remote islands in the East China Sea, the Japan Times reports.
Once the typhoon makes landfall, it is expected to turn north-east and move up through central Japan towards Tokyo.
It is also expected to maintain much of its strength even after making landfall.
It’s incredible how something that seems so beautiful from space can be so terrible on Earth…Praying for the safety of those in the path of Typhoon Nanmadol. pic.twitter.com/4xambFgtj6
— Bob “Farmer” Hines (@Astro_FarmerBob) September 17, 2022
An official from Japan's meteorological agency told reporters on Saturday: "There are risks of unprecedented storms, high waves, storm surges, and record rainfall."
Nanmadol, the official added, had the potential to be worse than both Typhoon Jebi in 2018, which left 14 people dead, and Typhoon Hagibis, which caused widespread power cuts in 2019.
The agency also warned that some homes, particularly in southern Kyushu, would be at risk of collapse, and urged residents to seek refuge in sturdy buildings.
- BBC
