OMM Newsroom
Super Typhoon Champi is expected to bring strong winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 meters high to Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from October 23, AnewZ reported. Authorities have issued severe weather warnings as the storm advances toward the country’s southwestern islands.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Champi, the 30th named storm of the year, was moving west-northwest at 25 kph over waters east of the Philippines on Wednesday. The typhoon strengthened, reaching a central atmospheric pressure of 900 hectopascals and sustained winds of more than 200 kph.
Champi is forecast to reach the Sakishima Islands, part of Okinawa Prefecture, including Ishigaki Island, on Friday. Gusts are expected to reach 55 meters per second, waves could rise to 11 meters, and rainfall could total 300 millimeters in 24 hours.
Authorities have urged residents to take precautions against destructive winds, high waves, storm surges and torrential rain.
Flights canceled in southern Japan
Major Japanese airlines have announced cancellations of numerous flights in the south of the country. Japan Airlines Group said it would cancel 64 flights on Thursday, October 22, and a further 56 on October 23. The cancellations affect services to Miyako and Ishigaki islands in Okinawa, as well as remote islands in Kagoshima Prefecture. Eight international flights between Japan and Taiwan will also be canceled on Friday.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) canceled 21 flights to and from Miyako and Ishigaki on Thursday. All 34 flights scheduled for Friday have also been canceled. Disruptions across both airline groups are expected to affect about 16,000 passengers.
The 50th Okinawa Industrial Festival, scheduled to run from Friday through Sunday and expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, has also been canceled because of the storm.
Rain could spread to other parts of Japan
After passing the Sakishima Islands, Champi is forecast to move north along the East China Sea. Although its precise track remains uncertain, the storm could bring severe weather to western Japan.
Forecasts indicate Champi will approach Kyushu over the weekend and become an extratropical cyclone near the island on October 26. The weather system associated with the storm could also bring widespread heavy rain to parts of Honshu, Japan’s main island.
The JMA has urged residents to follow the latest forecasts and take preventive measures. The agency warned that strong winds, dangerous sea conditions and intense rainfall could cause further disruption to transport and daily life.
