TOKYO (AP) — A powerful typhoon was approaching Japanese weather forecasts warned residents of heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts expected in the region in the coming days.
Typhoon Shanshan was about 130 kilometers (80 miles) east of the southern island of Amami on Tuesday morning and was slowly moving north toward Kyushu, packing winds of up to 162 kilometers (101 mph), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
So far, no damage has been reported from the typhoon, but people were prepared for the predicted downpours and strong winds.
Japanese railway companies that operate the Shinkansen superexpress trains have said that services on Kyushu, Japan’s main southern island, and large parts of the main island of Honshu may be suspended between Wednesday and Sunday.
According to the JMA, up to 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) of rain will fall on Amami Island over the next 24 hours, and up to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) will fall in the Kyushu region from Wednesday to Thursday.
Fishermen in the Kyushu region moored their boats at port facilities on Monday in preparation for the typhoon.
