Japanese authorities have ordered hundreds of thousands of residents in the country’s south-western regions to evacuate as Typhoon Dolphin approaches with destructive winds, torrential rain and dangerous sea conditions.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said on Friday that the Category One typhoon was moving slowly towards the island chain between Kyushu and Okinawa, packing sustained winds of up to 144 kilometres per hour and gusts of 198 kilometres per hour.
Evacuation orders have been issued for nearly 260,000 residents in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures as authorities warned of possible structural damage, flooding and landslides.
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The weather agency also cautioned that a linear rain band could develop, increasing the risk of intense rainfall and flash floods across affected areas.
The approaching storm has disrupted transport and business activities, with more than 500 flights cancelled and Toyota suspending operations at nine factories on Friday.
Typhoon Dolphin is also affecting parts of Kyushu, including Kumamoto Prefecture, where thousands of people remain in evacuation centres following last week’s magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
The JMA further warned of heatstroke risks, with temperatures expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius in some areas despite the approaching storm.
Authorities have urged residents in affected communities to follow evacuation instructions and remain alert as the typhoon continues its approach.
