Flights Annulled As Strong Typhoon Hits Near Tokyo
MEP: A strong typhoon has struck near Tokyo on Monday with heavy rain and winds forcing hundreds of flights to be cancelled as officials warned of landslides and flooding.
Meanwhile, local media reported that at least two people were feared dead in storm-related incidents.
Mindulle was expected to make landfall at about Monday noon, moving upwards from the Japanese capital to the northern Tohoku region, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
“In Tokyo… please exercise caution for landslides, flooding in low lying areas, surging rivers, violent wind and high waves,” the weather agency said.
As of noon, the storm was packing gusts up to 180kmph and heading north at a speed of 20kmph, the agency said.
Downpours across the greater Tokyo region caused rivers to swell, with television footage showing gushing waterways close to overflowing but staying within their banks.
Japan Airlines said it cancelled 145 domestic flights through mid-afternoon, affecting 26,910 customers, while All Nippon Airways cancelled 96 domestic flights, affecting 21,300 passengers.
Major train services in Tokyo and its surrounding region operated normally during the morning commuting hours, including super-fast bullet trains.
