Japan Weather Agency Warns Typhoon To Make Landfall Over Weekend

TOKYO, June 26 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Japan's weather agency on Friday warned that a typhoon could approach the country from the Pacific and make landfall the following day, as heavy rain fell across western and eastern regions, Kyodo News reported.

Along with the possible landfall of Typhoon Higos, the Japan Meteorological Agency also expressed concern about another typhoon, Mekkhala, which approached the Amami region in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Friday and could move toward the Kanto region the following day.

The agency expects both typhoons to weaken into extratropical cyclones after approaching but urges the public to remain alert for landslides and flooding.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, over 2 million people across 13 prefectures in the Kinki and Kyushu regions were under evacuation orders due to the rain as of 7 am (local time) Friday.

In Seika, Kyoto Prefecture, the highest level 5 emergency safety alert was issued for parts of the town after a landslide occurred in the morning.

The weather agency reported that a total of 600 millimetres (mm) of rain fell in Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture, between Tuesday and Friday morning, while more than 500 mm fell in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Ureshino, Saga Prefecture.

The agency warned of the possibility of strong storms across Okinawa Prefecture and eastern Japan. As Typhoon Higos moves northward off the country's southern coast, rainfall is expected to intensify in the Tokai and Kanto regions and continue through Saturday, with Typhoon Mekkhala also approaching.

Up to 300 mm of rain is expected in the Tokai region by noon Saturday, while the Kanto-Koshin region is forecast to receive up to 150 mm.

As of 11 am (local time) Friday, Typhoon Mekkhala was moving northeast at a speed of 15 kilometres an hour off the coast of Okinawa's Kume Island.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO