Powerful Typhoon Heading West Off Japan

A powerful typhoon is moving westward off Japan's southwestern islands, Japan's NHK World Reported. On Sunday, the typhoon was about 130 kilometers north of Okinawa Prefecture's Ishigaki Island. It was moving west-north-west at 15 kilometers per hour. The typhoon's minimum central pressure has been measured at 960 hectopascals.

Wind near its center has risen to 144 kilometers an hour, while the maximum wind-gust speed clocks in at 198 kilometers per hour. Weather officials are warning of strong winds on the islands until noon on Sunday. Residents can expect localized downpours of 60 millimeters per hour for the next few hours, and a maximum of 150 millimeters of rainfall by Monday morning. About 14,400 households on Miyako, Zamami and nearby smaller islands have suffered power cuts. Some traffic lights have stopped working on Miyako. Local observatory personnel have warned of strong winds, high waves, landslides, flooding, and tornadoes. Officials have reported a second typhoon over the sea south of Japan. It is moving westward and expected to approach Okinawa on Monday.
Source: BNA