Two powerful storms are threatening to unleash strong winds and heavy rainfall on Okinawa Prefecture as well as Kanto and islands south of the region this week.
Tropical Storm Jebi, known domestically as Typhoon No. 17, moved northward over the waters south of the Ogasawara Islands on Monday morning and was expected to come closest to the islands by early afternoon. The Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for landslides and high waves as the storm advances.
Jebi is forecast to shift northeast, passing over the sea southeast of the Kanto region by Tuesday before continuing away from Honshu. The agency cautioned that the storm＊s track could still impact the Kanto region, with effects potentially being felt by Tuesday, depending on its course.
As of 3 p.m. Monday, Jebi was located approximately 130 kilometers west-northwest of Chichijima in the Ogasawara Islands, moving northward at 25 kph. The storm＊s central pressure stood at 998 hectopascals, with maximum gusts reaching 108 kph. Strong winds, defined as 54 kph or higher, extended up to 390 km northeast and 220 km southwest of the storm＊s center.
Rainfall in the Ogasawara and Izu islands is projected to reach up to 100 millimeters within the 24 hours leading up to Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, the large and powerful Typhoon Krathon, or Typhoon No. 18, is located over waters north of the Philippines. The storm is expected to approach Taiwan before potentially nearing Okinawa＊s Sakishima Islands by Thursday. The meteorological agency has urged residents in the affected region to brace for strong winds and high waves.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, Krathon was slowly moving west-northwestward over the northern waters of the Philippines, with a central pressure of 935 hectopascals and maximum gusts reaching 252 kph. Winds exceeding 90 kph were recorded within a 150-km radius, with strong air currents extending up to 500 km from the storm＊s center. The storm is expected to strengthen slightly through Tuesday morning.
In the two hours leading up to 6 a.m. Monday, Minami-Daito Island recorded 79 mm of rainfall, according to the Japan Weather Association. With saturated ground conditions from previous rainfall, Okinawa＊s main island remains at risk of landslides, with floods threatening low-lying areas. The meteorological agency has advised caution for residents of affected areas as more rain is expected in the coming days.
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