A massive and very powerful typhoon is forecast to approach and pass over the Sakishima islands in Okinawa Prefecture between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Thursday, urging people to be on alert for strong winds, high waves and heavy rain.
Typhoon Bavi was located over the sea east of the northern part of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, moving west-northwest at a speed of 20 kph. It had a central pressure of 930 hectopascals, packing maximum sustained winds of 180 kph.
Japan Airlines has decided to cancel 48 flights for Friday, mainly those departing from or arriving at airports in Naha and the islands of Ishigaki and Miyako in Okinawa Prefecture, affecting some 7,600 passengers.
All Nippon Airways canceled all flights to and from Miyako Airport and Painushima Ishigaki Airport for Friday and all flights to and from Miyako Airport for Saturday.
Ferry operations linking Okinawa Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture, as well as those connecting Okinawa¡¯s remote islands, are also canceled for Friday and Saturday.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall in China on Sunday and weaken into a tropical depression by Monday morning.
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