2023-06-02 08:22:01
NAHA, Japan (AP) — Tropical Storm Mawar intensified heavy rains on Japan’s main archipelago on Friday, halting trains and traffic and threatening flooding and landslides in southern and western regions.
Warnings were issued in parts of western and central Japan, with up to 35 centimeters (1.1 feet) of rain forecast over the next 24 hours, through Saturday morning. Residents in vulnerable areas, including those in Wakayama, Kochi in the west and Nagano in central Japan, were warned regarding the possibility of flooding and landslides and were advised to go to evacuation centers if possible.
Television footage showed swollen rivers in a residential area of Wakayama city, including one where brown water reached the height of a bridge spanning it.
In Tokyo, few pedestrians walked the rainy streets as the winds shook the branches of the trees. Afternoon classes were also canceled at some schools in the Japanese capital.
Super-fast Shinkansen trains have been suspended or delayed between Tokyo and Okayama in western Japan due to heavy rain, according to Central Japan Railway Co. Flights and ferries in southern Japan have also been canceled due to strong winds.
Mawar remained far offshore in the Pacific Ocean, but its winds were strong enough when it passed Okinawa to cause injuries. In the city of Nishihara, an elderly woman suffered a head injury following a fall.
The tropical storm had sustained winds of up to 82 km/h (51 mph) on Friday followingnoon and was blowing from the east to northeast at 25 km/h (15 mph), the Japan Meteorological Agency reported. It was near Amami-Oshima Island, regarding 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) southwest of Tokyo.
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Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
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