Japan braces for powerful Typhoon Haishen, possible record rainfall

TOKYO: Japan is bracing for powerful Typhoon Haishen as it bears down on the country's southwest, with weather forecasters warning of potential record rainfall, violent wind, high waves and tides.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has urged residents of Okinawa and Kyushu to exercise maximum caution as Typhoon Haishen was on course to approach Okinawa by Sunday (Sep 6) and the main southern island of Kyushu afterwards.

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"People in affected areas should not hesitate to evacuate their homes, even though they may be worried about being infected with the coronavirus," a meteorological official told a news conference broadcast by NHK on Saturday.

READ: Japan coastguard halts search for crew from capsized cattle ship due to bad weather

The typhoon is forecast to have atmospheric pressure of 915 hectopascals at its centre, and sustained winds of up to 198km per hour on Sunday, the meteorological agency said.

The typhoon's centre was near Minamidaito, east of Okinawa's main island, on Saturday, moving north at 30km/h.

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To prevent damage from the typhoon, Kyushu Railway Co said it will suspend some of its train operations on Sunday and all operatRead More – Source