KAGOSHIMA, Japan, Sept 6, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A powerful typhoon headed
toward southern Japan Sunday, bringing violent winds and heavy rains
with officials warning it could be strong enough to snap power poles
and flip vehicles.
Typhoon Haishen, categorised as “large” and “extremely strong”, was
expected to move through the Amami region of small islands near Kyushu
that separate the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea in the
afternoon.
At 8:00 am (2300 GMT Saturday), Haishen was about 150 kilometres (93
miles) southeast of Amami Oshima island, with gusts up to 252 km (157
miles) per hour.
The storm was forecast to head north and travel off the western
coast of Kyushu — one of Japan’s main islands — from the evening
through early Monday before reaching South Korea, according to the
Japan Meteorological Agency.
Once the storm comes near inhabited islands, its violent winds might
become strong enough to snap power poles and flip vehicles,
meteorologists have warned.
More than 200,000 residents of Kyushu were advised by early Sunday
to seek safety at shelters, according to the Fire and Disaster
Management Agency.
Rather than going to designated local school schools and community
centres, some residents have chosen to seek safety at local hotels to
try and reduce the risk of coronavirus infections at crowded public
shelters, according to local media.
The storm has forced the cancellation of 528 flights, according to
national broadcaster NHK.
Toyota said it would suspend operations at three plants in Kyushu
until Monday evening, while other companies, including Canon and
Mitsubishi Electric, reportedly planned to take similar measures.
Haishen also forced the Japanese coast guard to suspend its search
for dozens of missing sailors from a cargo ship that sank in a
separate storm, after two crew members were rescued.
The Gulf Livestock 1, carrying 6,000 cows and 43 crew, issued a
distress call Wednesday near Amami Oshima as Typhoon Maysak passed
through the area.
But patrol ships have remained in the sea so that the search can
resume after Haishen has left the region, a duty officer told AFP.