On Tuesday, Japanese authorities cancelled hundreds of flights and urged tens of thousands to evacuate their homes, as Tropical Storm Khanun closed in on the Okinawa island chain, raising fears of flooding and fierce winds until Thursday.
The authorities have encouraged residents across a vast expanse of the tropical province to leave their homes as the storm slowly moves northwest, accompanied by strong winds expected to reach speeds of up to 65 meters per second.
Japan’s Asahi Television reported that authorities had closed Naha City Airport and cancelled all flights to and from the region, resulting in more than 900 domestic and international flight cancellations as of Tuesday afternoon.
As the storm gradually edges closer, residents in affected areas are preparing for the worst, ensuring their safety amidst fears of possible destruction brought about by Typhoon Khanun. With the storm predicted to bring intense rainfall and violent winds, widespread disruption to travel and day-to-day activities is expected to continue.