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
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.
