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Japan’s southernmost island of Okinawa was hit by a devastating typhoon Friday that has already caused havoc: injuries, shelter-seeking, flights suspended and power failures.
The high winds forced residents in the Okinawa prefecture to seek shelter, as 10 percent lost electricity and at least half a dozen were injured. At least 20 houses were flooded as heavy rains made the rivers overflow.
The typhoon, dubbed Typhoon Man-Yi, stormed the island Friday morning, causing airlines to cancel more than 300 domestic flights. It is the fourth this season.
By Friday afternoon, the typhoon was moving north, with winds reaching 252 kilometers per hour. Heavy rain and strong winds were expected to reach the west of Japan Saturday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The meteorological agency has also warned that Man-Yi may cross the Tokyo region early Sunday, after storming western Japan. Residents have been warned of torrential rain, flooding and landslides.
At least two people died earlier this week due to the heavy rainfall in southern Kyushu. The Japanese government has set up a liaison office in advance of potential disasters linked to typhoons.
Kyushu has not seen the last of the storm, as the meteorological agency announced it was expecting up to 300 millimeters of rainfall in the region on Saturday.
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