A powerful typhoon has moved closer to Japan’s remote southwestern islands today, prompting authorities to issue warnings over strong winds, heavy rain, landslides and possible flooding.
Typhoon Bavi approached the Sakishima Islands early this morning, a group of isolated islands located near Taiwan, with maximum sustained winds reaching 162 kilometres per hour (km/h).
Residents have taken precautionary measures by reinforcing their homes and businesses, including covering windows and installing wind protection nets ahead of the storm, which is feared to be among the strongest to hit the region in recent years.
Several airlines have cancelled dozens of flights in the affected area, including services scheduled for Saturday, as the typhoon continues to disrupt travel plans.
On Ishigaki Island, one of the popular tourist destinations within the Sakishima chain, residents rushed to stock up on essential supplies, leaving shelves of instant noodles at a local supermarket empty.
Several public beaches, coastal parks and ferry terminals were also reported to have been closed as authorities prepared for the impact of the storm.
“I heard this typhoon is expected to be quite large. I am worried whether our preparations are truly enough to face it,” said Hiroshi Nomura, who was installing wind protection nets at his bicycle rental shop.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Taiwan also took precautionary measures, with financial markets closed for the day while several northern and eastern areas of the island were declared public holidays due to the approaching weather system.
