Japanese weather officials say a very strong and large typhoon has engulfed some of the country’s southwestern remote islands in its storm zone. They are urging people in the Yaeyama region of Okinawa Prefecture to stay vigilant for stormy conditions and rain-induced disasters.
The region includes Yonaguni, Ishigaki and other islands.
Meteorological agency officials say that as of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Typhoon Gaemi was situated over waters west of Yonaguni. They say the storm is moving west.
The typhoon is packing sustained winds of up to 162 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts of up to 234 kilometers per hour.
Yonaguni and nearby areas were in Gaemi’s storm zone. Powerful winds of about 180 kilometers per hour were recorded on Yonaguni at 1:51 p.m.
People in the Yaeyama region should expect winds that are strong enough to destroy some homes.
The typhoon could generate gusts of 180 kilometers per hour toward the region and winds of 126 kilometers per hour toward Miyako and other nearby islands on Wednesday. Powerful winds are also forecast on Thursday.
Expected total rainfall for the 24-hour period through Thursday evening could reach 200 millimeters in the Yaeyama region, 150 millimeters in Okinawa’s main island and nearby areas, and 100 millimeters in Miyako and surrounding areas.
Weather officials say bands of heavy rain clouds may develop over the Yaeyama region sometime through Thursday early morning. These clouds could bring heavy downpours, sharply raising the risks of rain-related disasters.
Officials are calling on people in the region to stay on the alert for violent winds, high waves, mudslides, inundation and swelling and overflowing of rivers. They are also calling on people on Miyako and nearby areas to exercise caution against high waves.