Typhoon Ampil: Japan braces as powerful storm strengthens near Tokyo

CNN
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Authorities advised hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes in parts of Japan, where some homes lost power on Friday, as Typhoon Ampil approached the east coast near the capital.

The storm, located 121 nautical miles southeast of Yokosuka, Greater Tokyo, strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 typhoon, bringing winds of up to 212 kilometers per hour (131 mph) as it moved north at 18 kilometers per hour (11 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Typhoon Ampil has been rapidly strengthening over the past two days, partly because it is moving over very warm waters — meaning there is more moisture in the air to feed the typhoon. It could strengthen further over the next 12 hours as the storm reaches its peak intensity as it passes Japan.

Evacuation warnings were issued for more than 178,000 households — about 404,000 people — in the cities of Mobara and Asahi near Tokyo and Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, which lie near the east coast and are expected to feel the full brunt of the storm by late Friday. Local authorities urged the elderly, the disabled and anyone living in high-risk areas to evacuate.

A similar notice was issued in the city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo, where authorities warned all residents that they should prepare to evacuate.

By Friday afternoon, as rain and winds intensified in coastal areas, more than 2,000 homes were without power, according to Tokyo Electric Power Co.

Rail companies and airlines will also cancel services on Friday, during the peak summer travel season.

Japan’s two major airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, have cancelled a total of nearly 500 flights serving the capital’s Haneda and Narita airports, public broadcaster NHK reported.

Train services were also disrupted in Japan, with six lines of Japan’s bullet train network halting services between certain stations and warning of major delays on Friday – including the main Tokaido Line linking Tokyo to Osaka.

Meteorological officials warned that some parts of northern and eastern Japan could see strong winds, rough seas, heavy rains, flooding, landslides and river overflows, according to public broadcaster NHK. They urged the public to be cautious and prepared.

The center of the storm is expected to remain slightly offshore as it turns northeast and away from Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Japan Meteorological Agency. If the storm remains offshore and only touches the coast, it could have a minor impact on Japan, bringing rain and wind to some areas including Tokyo.

However, the effect could have a much stronger impact if the direction changes to bring the center closer to the coast, or even makes landfall.

The storm is expected to weaken by Saturday morning local time and calm down as it moves into cooler waters over the weekend.

This story has been updated with additional information.