(Tokyo) A typhoon described by Japanese meteorologists as “very strong” is expected to hit Tokyo and its surrounding areas on Friday, causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and trains and power cuts.
The typhoon Ampil was located east of Hachijojima Island, about 300 kilometers south of Tokyo, early Friday, with gusts of up to 216 km/h, and was heading north, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.
The typhoon’s core is expected to remain over the sea, with the weather system expected to track along the coast around Greater Tokyo, home to nearly 40 million people, before turning eastward and heading back toward the Pacific.
Authorities have warned of strong winds, heavy rain and possible landslides, urging residents to exercise extreme caution.
As of Friday morning, 1,700 homes in prefectures surrounding Tokyo were without power due to the typhoon, according to the utility operator.
ANA airline canceled 280 domestic flights scheduled for Friday, affecting more than 60,000 passengers, while Japan Airlines scrapped 281 domestic flights and 38 international flights, affecting 49,700 customers.
Traffic on major sections of Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains is also expected to be halted on Friday, including the busy stretch between Tokyo and the metropolis of Nagoya.
The typhoon comes as Japan celebrates the week-long “obon” holiday, when millions of people return to their families, and days after Tropical Storm Maria dumped record rains in parts of the north.
On Thursday, a “mega-earthquake” alert was lifted after being in effect for a week.