Typhoon Surigae approaches Okinawa and may reach Kanto — The Japan Times
In Japan, powerful Typhoon Surigae began approaching Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami Islands on Monday. The cyclone is forecast to move northeastward and may approach the Kanto region at the end of the week, which is still recovering from Typhoon Dujuan.
As The Japan Times reports, the Japan Meteorological Agency classified Surigae as a very strong typhoon. The U.S. Armed Forces' Joint Typhoon Warning Center upgraded it to a super typhoon on Sunday evening. Surigae, the 26th named storm of the year, formed east of the Philippines last week.
Warnings for Okinawa
Under the Japanese agency's classification, a very strong typhoon has maximum wind speeds of 85 to 105 knots, with 85 knots equaling 157 km/h. The U.S. center calls a cyclone with wind speeds above 130 knots a super typhoon. Both figures exceed the peak intensity of Typhoon Dujuan.
According to the meteorological agency, winds exceeding 140 km/h can topple telephone poles and trees and destroy houses. At the same time, Surigae is not forecast to make a direct hit on Okinawa Prefecture. However, warnings have been issued there for high waves and strong winds.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Possible landfall
The typhoon is expected to first move east-northeast of Japan and then approach the Izu Islands. Around Thursday, it may make landfall in the Tokai and Kanto regions, having already weakened into a strong tropical storm. Such a storm can still cause damage and make travel on foot and by car difficult.
Typhoon Dujuan caused significant destruction last week and claimed at least 10 lives in the Chiba, Miyazaki and Kanagawa prefectures. Landslides damaged hundreds of homes, while flooding in Chiba led to record water levels and agricultural losses. As of Monday, about 470 households remained without water supply.
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism warned of possible heavy rain alerts in the western and eastern parts of the country. In Tokyo, Monday was the 33rd consecutive day with precipitation, matching the record set in the summer of 2019.
