Japan orders mass evacuations as Typhoon Dolphin approaches
Typhoon Dolphin approaches southwestern Japan, prompting evacuation orders for nearly 260,000 people in Kagoshima and Okinawa and the cancellation of more than 500 flights.
- Japan has ordered nearly 260,000 people to evacuate from the Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures.
- The approaching Category 1 Typhoon Dolphin is carrying violent winds with gusts up to 198 km/h, heavy rain, and high waves.
- Authorities have warned of potential structural damage from the winds and an increased threat of flooding.
- The storm has caused major disruptions, including the cancellation of over 500 flights and the suspension of work at nine Toyota factories.
Japan ordered nearly 260,000 people to evacuate from Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures as slow-moving Typhoon Dolphin approached the country's southwest on Friday (August 7), bringing violent winds, heavy rain and high waves.
More than 500 flights were cancelled, while Toyota suspended work at nine factories.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the Category 1 typhoon was carrying maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 198 km/h. The storm was approaching a chain of islands between the Kyushu region and Okinawa prefecture.
Authorities warned that Dolphin was expected to maintain its strength as it moved closer to Okinawa, raising the risk of powerful winds damaging or bringing down some structures. The JMA also warned that a linear rain band could develop and increase the threat of flooding.
The typhoon's broad circulation was also bringing strong winds across much of southern Kyushu, including Kumamoto prefecture, which is still dealing with the effects of a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck last week.
Around 6,700 people in Kumamoto remain in evacuation centres after numerous homes collapsed in the earthquake. The JMA has also warned of heatstroke risks, with temperatures forecast to reach 36 degrees Celsius in some areas.
Source: Reuters
