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Powerful Typhoon Neoguri approaches Japan's Okinawa Japan braced for Typhoon Neoguri
(about 2 hours later)
A powerful typhoon is approaching Japan's Okinawa island chain, packing strong winds and torrential rain. Japan is bracing for the arrival of a powerful typhoon fast approaching the southern Okinawa island chain.
Typhoon Neoguri was carrying winds of about 250km/h (150mph), and was gaining power as it headed north, Japan's Meteorological Agency said. Typhoon Neoguri was forecast to make landfall later on Tuesday, packing strong winds and torrential rain.
The typhoon was forecast to grow into an "extremely intense" storm by Tuesday, officials added. In Okinawa, flights were cancelled and schools shut. Local television footage showed palm trees tossed by winds.
But it was not set to be as strong as Typhoon Haiyan, which killed thousands of people in the Philippines last year. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the storm could be one of the strongest to hit Japan, generating waves up to 14m (46ft).
"It is likely to come closest to Okinawa on Tuesday morning," a meteorological spokesperson told AFP news agency, warning the storm could generate high waves. "There is a risk of unprecedentedly strong winds and torrential rains. Please refrain from non-essential outdoor activities,'' spokesman Satoshi Ebihara told a news conference on Monday night.
"Please be vigilant, stay inside buildings and avoid working outside and making unnecessary trips." Hundreds of people were evacuated and thousands of households went without power, officials said.
Local television reports showed fishermen pulling their boats out of water. Urging residents to remain on maximum alert, JMA warned of the possibility that Typhoon Neoguri could move north to Japan's main island of Honshu.
Okinawa, Japan's southern-most prefecture, is home to major US bases and around 26,000 US troops who are stationed there under a long-standing security alliance. Okinawa, Japan's southern-most prefecture, is home to major US bases. Around 26,000 US troops are stationed there under a long-standing security alliance.
Officers have evacuated some aircraft from Kadena Air Base in preparation for Typhoon Neoguri's arrival.
"I can't stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa," Commander James Hecker of the 18th Wing said in a statement.
Are you in Okinawa? What preparations have you made for the typhoon? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Typhoon Neoguri'.Are you in Okinawa? What preparations have you made for the typhoon? You can email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Typhoon Neoguri'.