Typhoon on course to hit western Japan; could be strongest in 25 years:
A powerful typhoon is headed toward Japan's southern Pacific coast and is likely to rip through western Japan on Tuesday, with the national weather agency warning it may be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in 25 years.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said a wide area of Japan should be on high alert for strong winds, high waves and heavy downpours.
As of 10 p.m. Monday, Typhoon Jebi was traveling north around 240 kilometers southeast of Tanegashima island at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour, with an atmospheric pressure of 945 hectopascals at its center and packing winds of up to 216 kph, according to the agency.
Categorized as "very strong" by the agency based on the strength of its top winds, Jebi would be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Japan since 1993 if it maintains its force, an agency official said at an emergency press conference.
"Rainstorms will likely intensify suddenly as the typhoon is approaching while picking up speed," the official said, urging people not to go out unless necessary and prepare for evacuation.
Japan has been hit by a succession of typhoons recently, with western parts of the country devastated by massive flooding and landslides that left more than 220 people dead.
The weather agency has called for vigilance against flooding, mudslides and high tides caused by the typhoon as well.
Fearing potentially massive damage, airline companies and railway operators are expected to cancel services on Tuesday.
At least 600 flights in western and central Japan are expected to be canceled.
All Nippon Airways Co expects to cancel 229 domestic flights, and Japan Airlines Co 180 flights, many being to and from Osaka. Skymark Airlines Inc and Fuji Dream Airlines Co expect to cancel 52 and 38 flights respectively.
Railway services in areas most affected by the storm will also be severely affected.
West Japan Railway Co said it plans to halt train services Tuesday, including over 240 limited express train runs. Shikoku Railway Co, Keihan Electric Railway Co and Nankai Electric Railway Co will also suspend all or part of their train services.
USJ Co, the operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, also announced the park will be closed Tuesday because of the storm.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a meeting of the government and ruling parties, "We've seen typhoons and torrential rains. The government will do its utmost to prevent disaster."
After making landfall somewhere on the main island of Shikoku or the Kii Peninsula on Tuesday, the typhoon is expected to pass over the Sea of Japan, the agency said, adding it will likely weaken to an extratropical cyclone there.
The agency said strong gusts of up to 216 kph could hit the Shikoku and Kinki regions, and gusts of up to 162 kph could affect a wide area including the Tohoku, Tokai and Hokuriku regions.
In the 24-hour period through 6 p.m. on Tuesday, up to 400 millimeters of rain may fall in the Shikoku, Kinki and Tokai regions and 250 mm in the Kanto-Koshin region, the agency said.
The Tokyo metropolitan area may see strong winds, although the typhoon is unlikely to pass close to the capital.
© KYODO
(Via Japan Today)
It's been a crazy August for Japan weather. September is the traditional start of the typhoon season, so it looks like what we experienced was a dress rehearsal.
Tonight the wind is ripping, whipping, and howling with such force that my cooking vent is working in reverse while turned off. I have to work to get my apartment door to close even though my windows are closed. We had strong rains on and off all day with more to come.
As stated, Tokyo may well miss the brunt of Jebi. Other regions will not be so lucky.
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