Typhoon Hagibis, the worst typhoon in long six decades, is expected to make landfall bringing up to 80 centimeters (30 inches) of rain in the Tokyo and surrounding areas, including Chiba to the north that had suffered power outages from a typhoon that hit last month.
Tokyo streets and trains stations unusually quiet on Saturday as rain poured over the city.
Store shelves were bare after people stocked up on water and food. Nearby beaches were completely at a standstill except the noise of towering dashing waves.
Some events including two Rugby World Cup matches have been canceled. Flights and train services halted. Authorities taken steps fast, with warnings issued earlier this week, including urging people to stay indoors.
A number of residents taped up their apartment windows in case they shattered. The deadly typhoon that hit the Tokyo in 1958 left more than 1,200 people dead and a half-million houses flooded.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet held a disaster management meeting on Friday.He said 17,000 army personnel were ready for rescue operations as the typhoon could cause power outages, damage to infrastructure and affect people’s lives a lot.
As reported by Japan Meteorological Agency Hagibis, which means “speed” in Filipino, was advancing north-northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometers (100 miles) per hour,. It was likely to make landfall near Tokyo later on Saturday and then pass out to sea eastward.
Evacuation advisories have been issued for risk areas, including Shimoda city, west of Tokyo. Dozens of evacuation centers were opening in coastal towns, and people were resting on gymnasium floors, saying they hoped their homes were still there after the storm passed.
The storm has disrupted this nation’s Sports Day on Monday.The Defence Ministry has also cut a three-day annual navy review to a single day on Monday.
The biggest impact will expected to be on flights. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines grounded most domestic and international flights scheduled Saturday at the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya airports. Central Japan Railway Co.has cancelled all bullet train service between Tokyo and Osaka except for several early Saturday trains connecting Nagoya and Osaka. Tokyo Disneyland was also closed.
