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Typhoon Bolaven lashes Japan's Okinawa | Typhoon Bolaven lashes Japan's Okinawa |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A powerful typhoon has moved past the Japanese island of Okinawa, causing blackouts and forcing thousands of residents indoors. | A powerful typhoon has moved past the Japanese island of Okinawa, causing blackouts and forcing thousands of residents indoors. |
Typhoon Bolaven is forecast to be moving towards the Korean Peninsula and is likely to move west of Seoul. | |
At least four people were injured, but reported wind speeds on Okinawa and nearby Amami were lower than forecast. | At least four people were injured, but reported wind speeds on Okinawa and nearby Amami were lower than forecast. |
About 57,000 people on the islands were left without power, Japanese media reported. | About 57,000 people on the islands were left without power, Japanese media reported. |
Residents had been told to stay at home and protect themselves against the strong winds and heavy rain. | Residents had been told to stay at home and protect themselves against the strong winds and heavy rain. |
Forecasters had predicted slow-moving Typhoon Bolaven could be the strongest storm to hit the area in over 50 years. | |
Public broadcaster NHK said gusts could overturn cars, while waves around the island could reach 12m (40ft). | Public broadcaster NHK said gusts could overturn cars, while waves around the island could reach 12m (40ft). |
Japan's meteorological agency estimated wind speeds near the storm's centre at around 180km/h (112 mph), with extremely strong gusts reaching 252 km/h. | Japan's meteorological agency estimated wind speeds near the storm's centre at around 180km/h (112 mph), with extremely strong gusts reaching 252 km/h. |
But NHK reported early Monday morning that the strongest gusts measured on the islands - on Amami, north of Okinawa - reached just 140km/h, according to the AP news agency. | But NHK reported early Monday morning that the strongest gusts measured on the islands - on Amami, north of Okinawa - reached just 140km/h, according to the AP news agency. |
"The winds weren't as strong as expected. We're glad there's no major damage so far," crisis management official Yoshimitsu Matsusaki was quoted as saying by AP. | "The winds weren't as strong as expected. We're glad there's no major damage so far," crisis management official Yoshimitsu Matsusaki was quoted as saying by AP. |
The storm was expected to dump up to 350mm (20in) of rain on Okinawa and 250mm on Amami, NHK reported. | The storm was expected to dump up to 350mm (20in) of rain on Okinawa and 250mm on Amami, NHK reported. |
All domestic and international flights out of the island's Naha Airport have been cancelled. | All domestic and international flights out of the island's Naha Airport have been cancelled. |
Some 200 households are already without electricity, and hundreds of people have taken shelter in public buildings on the island. | Some 200 households are already without electricity, and hundreds of people have taken shelter in public buildings on the island. |
Trees 'bending' | Trees 'bending' |
Hannah Bryan, who is visiting her sister in Okinawa from Britain, told the BBC that she and several others would try to weather the storm in her sister's house. | Hannah Bryan, who is visiting her sister in Okinawa from Britain, told the BBC that she and several others would try to weather the storm in her sister's house. |
"We are planning on putting lots of duvets in the middle of the living room and staying together, away from the windows," she said | "We are planning on putting lots of duvets in the middle of the living room and staying together, away from the windows," she said |
"It is really windy at the moment and it is getting stronger and stronger. The trees are bending outside." | "It is really windy at the moment and it is getting stronger and stronger. The trees are bending outside." |
British tourist Paul Graham, whose flight out of Okinawa has been cancelled, said the streets in Naha were deserted. | British tourist Paul Graham, whose flight out of Okinawa has been cancelled, said the streets in Naha were deserted. |
"It is quite stormy at the moment, very windy and very wet. There is a canal nearby here, and there is concern about its levels in this weather," he told the BBC. | "It is quite stormy at the moment, very windy and very wet. There is a canal nearby here, and there is concern about its levels in this weather," he told the BBC. |
Typhoon Bolaven comes just after Typhoon Temblin, which has caused widespread damage in Taiwan. | Typhoon Bolaven comes just after Typhoon Temblin, which has caused widespread damage in Taiwan. |
The latest typhoon is the 15th destructive storm of the season in East Asia. | The latest typhoon is the 15th destructive storm of the season in East Asia. |
Are you in Okinawa? Have you been affected by the typhoon? Send us your comments using the form below. | |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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