Japan has ordered nearly 260,000 people to evacuate as Typhoon Dolphin approaches the country’s southwest, bringing violent winds, heavy rain and high waves while more than 500 flights were cancelled on Friday, Japan Times reported.
The Category 1 typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 144kph and gusts of up to 198kph, with the Japan Meteorological Agency warning that Dolphin could maintain its strength as it moves towards Okinawa Prefecture.
Evacuation orders were issued to residents across Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, while Toyota suspended operations at nine factories over concerns that disruptions to ocean shipping could affect the movement of finished vehicles.
Authorities warned that the storm could bring winds strong enough to damage or collapse some structures, while a linear rain band could develop and trigger flooding.
The typhoon is also affecting southern Kyushu, including Kumamoto Prefecture, which is still recovering from last week’s magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Around 6,700 people remain in evacuation centres after homes were damaged or collapsed.
The weather agency has also warned residents to remain alert to heatstroke, with temperatures expected to reach 36°C in some areas despite the approaching storm.
Dolphin’s arrival adds another layer of disruption for communities still dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake, while authorities continue to monitor the storm’s path and potential impact.
