People in parts of Japan have been ordered to evacuate as Typhoon Ampil approaches the coast near Tokyo, with some homes already experiencing power outages on Friday.
The storm, which is currently 121 nautical miles southeast of Yokosuka in Greater Tokyo, has strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, with winds reaching up to 212 kilometers per hour (131 mph). It is moving north at 18 kph (11 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
Over the past two days, Ampil has rapidly intensified due to its movement over very warm water, which has provided more moisture to fuel the typhoon. The storm could strengthen further in the next 12 hours, reaching its peak intensity as it passes by Japan.
In the coastal city of Isumi, one of the areas expected to be heavily impacted by the storm on Friday, authorities have issued an evacuation order to nearly 17,000 households, urging the elderly and those with disabilities to evacuate, according to public broadcaster NHK.
A similar notice was issued in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, with officials advising all residents to be ready to evacuate.
By Friday morning, as rain and wind intensified in coastal regions, more than a thousand households had lost power, according to the electricity company TEPCO. Railways and airlines have also begun canceling services amid the peak summer travel season.
Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have canceled around 500 flights in total, affecting Haneda and Narita airports in the capital, NHK reported. Rail services have also been disrupted, with six lines on Japan’s bullet train network suspending operations between certain stations and warning of significant delays, including the important Tokaido line that connects Tokyo with Osaka.
Meteorology officials have warned that parts of northern and eastern Japan could experience violent winds, rough seas, heavy rain, flooding, landslides, and overflowing rivers. They urged the public to remain cautious and stay prepared.
The center of the storm is expected to stay slightly offshore as it turns northeast, moving away from Japan, according to the JTWC and Japan’s Meteorological Agency. If it stays offshore, the impact on Japan could be minimal, bringing only rain and wind to some areas, including Tokyo.
However, if the storm’s path shifts closer to the coast or makes landfall, the effects could be much stronger.
The storm is expected to weaken by Saturday morning and dissipate as it moves into cooler waters over the weekend.
