The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a “special warning” for Kagoshima and Mizayaki, in the south of the large island of Kyushu, to warn residents of the high risk of severe weather.
As of this morning, about 98,000 homes had been without power in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kumamoto and Nagasaki districts, while regional rail services, flights and sea crossings were cancelled, according to utilities and local transportation.
Some grocery stores, which are normally open 24 hours a day, have also closed, even during bad weather.
The association warned that the region may face an “unprecedented” danger represented by strong winds, strong waves and torrential rain.
“Please stay away from dangerous places,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged on Twitter after calling for a cabinet meeting.
“Retreating at night would be dangerous. Stay safe while it is still daylight.”
State broadcaster NHK said more than four million people on the island of Kyushu had received urgent recommendations to evacuate, and officials in Kagoshima and Miyazaki said more than 15,000 people were in local shelters.
“The utmost caution is necessary,” Ryota Korora, head of the JMA forecasting unit, said Saturday, calling it a “very dangerous hurricane.”
“The winds will be so strong that some houses may collapse,” warned Ryota Korora, warning of flooding and landslides, urging residents to evacuate before the worst happens and warning that even in solid buildings, precautions should be taken.
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