The Japanese weather agency said on Tuesday that a large, powerful typhoon was moving westward from a Pacific island, warning of high waves and strong winds, but noting it was not expected to have a direct impact on areas in southwestern Japan affected by the recent major earthquake.
Powerful typhoon moves west but not to hit quake-struck southwestern Japan
TOKYO, Aug 4 (KYODO/APP):The Japanese weather agency said on Tuesday that a large, powerful typhoon was moving westward from a Pacific island, warning of high waves and strong winds, but noting it was not expected to have a direct impact on areas in southwestern Japan affected by the recent major earthquake.
As of noon, Typhoon Dolphin, the year’s 13th typhoon, was moving westward at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour south of Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara island chain, packing winds of up to 216 kph, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The typhoon is not expected to directly hit Kumamoto Prefecture, ravaged by the magnitude 7.1 quake on July 28, but areas where the temblor weakened the ground remain vulnerable to landslides even with relatively little rainfall, according to the agency.
With strong winds also possible, the agency urged those in the area to pay close attention to the latest disaster prevention information.
It also warned that Okinawa and the Amami region in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, could experience high waves and strong winds from Wednesday through Saturday.
The agency forecast waves in the Ogasawara island chain to reach up to 11 meters on Tuesday and 9 meters on Wednesday, while warning torrential rain could occur during the period.
