A large and very strong typhoon is likely to approach Okinawa Prefecture’s Sakishima Islands, southwestern Japan, from Friday through Saturday. Japanese weather officials are urging people there to prepare early for the storm.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says that Typhoon Bavi was moving northwest at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour over the sea east of the Philippines as of Thursday noon.
The storm had a central atmospheric pressure of 930 hectopascals and was packing maximum sustained winds of 180 kilometers per hour near its center with gusts peaking at 252 kilometers per hour. Gusts of 90 kilometers per hour or more were blowing within a radius of 280 kilometers from its center.
The powerful typhoon is expected to come close to the Sakishima Islands, which include Miyako and Ishigaki islands, in Okinawa while maintaining its strength.
Winds will likely become gradually stronger in the prefecture. Wind gusts could reach 180 kilometers per hour on the Sakishima Islands on Friday and 252 kilometers per hour on Saturday. Such winds are strong enough to knock down some houses.
Okinawa’s main island region is also likely to be hit by very strong winds. Wind gusts could reach 126 kilometers per hour.
The typhoon will also bring heavy rain. Rainfall of 50 millimeters per hour is forecast on the Sakishima Islands from Friday. Precipitation during the 24 hours from Friday noon to Saturday noon could reach up to 300 millimeters.
Rough seas are expected in Okinawa with high waves exceeding 10 meters from Friday through Saturday. The Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture will also likely have rough seas.
High waves and storm surges may flood coastal areas in Okinawa.
Weather officials are urging people there to be vigilant against violent winds, high waves, storm surges and landslides. They are advising local people to complete preparations by Thursday and to evacuate to sturdy buildings before the rain and wind intensify.
The officials are also warning that even the Pacific coast side of western and eastern Japan may see high waves brought by storm surges from the typhoon.
AloJapan.com