Strong Typhoon “Jongdari” about to slam into Japan, targeting regions devastated by recent floods
Japan is bracing for Strong Typhoon "Jongdari," the 12th named storm of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season. Jongdari is currently located just east of Japan. Landfall is expected in Kinki region late Saturday, July 28 or early Sunday, July 29, 2018 (local time, UTC+9).
The typhoon is expected to drop more heavy rain on regions devastated by unprecedented rain and major floods less than a month ago when more than 224 people lost their lives.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warns residents to remain vigilant against further landslides and flooding and to be prepared to evacuate when advised.
At 12:00 UTC (21:00 JST) on July 28, the center of Typhoon "Jongdari" was located 60 km (37 miles) SSE of Omaezaki City, Shizuoka Prefecture and was moving W at 35 km/h (22 mph).
The typhoon had winds of 126 km/h (78 mph) near the center and central pressure was 965 hPa at the time, according to the JMA.
Areas along the Pacific coast may get more than 80 mm (3.14 inches) of rain per hour, JMA said, urging residents who are called to evacuate to do so quickly.
"We want people especially in the downpour-hit regions to pay close attention to the evacuation advisories," JMA's head of weather consultation center said, as reported by The Japan Times.
More than 200 000 people were already urged to evacuate. 35 400 in the city of Shobara and 6 380 in Kure in Hiroshima Prefecture, 83 000 in Maizuru, 1 000 in Ayabe and 78 000 in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture.
Over 410 domestic flights had already been canceled, along with ferry services from Tokyo to nearby islands.
The typhoon has already disrupted electricity services in Tokyo and surrounding prefectures, including Chiba, Kanagawa and Tochigi.
Jongdari's current forecast track takes it south of Tokyo and Shizuoka on Saturday afternoon, before making landfall in Kinki region's Mie Prefecture.
After making landfall, the typhoon will likely slow and take an unusual turn to the west, the agency said.
Featured image: Typhoon "Jongdari" at 12:40 UTC, July 28, 2018. Credit: JMA/Himawari-8, RAMMB/CIRA
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