Typhoon Dolphin Threatens Japan: 500 Flights Cancelled, Over 250,000 People Evacuated

A powerful typhoon named Dolphin is moving toward the southwestern coast of Japan. As a precautionary measure, the Japanese government has cancelled more than 500 flights and evacuated over 250,000 people from coastal areas to safer locations.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has classified Typhoon Dolphin as a Category 1 typhoon. According to the latest forecast, the storm, which developed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, is currently about 126 kilometres away from the coast of Okinawa in Japan’s southwestern region.

The JMA said Typhoon Dolphin is moving at a speed of 20 to 28 kilometres per hour and could make landfall near Okinawa on Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Forecasters warned that wind speeds could reach between 144 and 198 kilometres per hour when the storm hits the coast. According to Reuters, heavy rain and strong winds had already started affecting Okinawa and nearby areas since Friday morning.

The Japanese government has completed emergency preparations ahead of the storm. Around 260,000 people from Okinawa and neighbouring Kagoshima prefecture have been moved to safer areas, while more than 500 flights have been cancelled.

In its latest bulletin, the JMA warned that Typhoon Dolphin may maintain its strength as it approaches Okinawa. If that happens, strong winds and heavy rainfall could damage buildings and infrastructure. There is also a risk of flooding due to excessive rainfall.

Most parts of Kyushu have already been affected by the storm. The Kumamoto region is among the affected areas and is still recovering from a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck last week.