Japan, China, Republic of Korea - Tropical Cyclone MALAKAS

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 03:21:00 +02:00

TC MALAKAS continued strengthening, moving north over the Philippine Sea. On 17 September early morning UTC, it made landfall in Yonaguni-shima island (Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa prefecture) as a Typhoon. It then continued moving north-northeast over the East China Sea, still as a Typhoon. On 19 September at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located approx. 225 km north-west of the Tokuno-shima island (Amammi archipielago, Kagoshima prefecture) and it had max. sustained wind speed of 194 km/h.
Over the next 24 h, it is forecast to continue moving north-east. It may move over Kagoshima prefecture (Kyushu island) as an intense Typhoon. Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge may affect the areas along its path.
As of 19 September early morning (UTC), a Red Warning for storm and high waves has been issued for the Thoshima mura island (Amammi archipielago). As of the same date, a Red Warning for Heavy Rain has been also issued for several mainland prefectures in south-western Japan.
Local media reported that over 2 600 people have been evacuated, at least 140 flights have been cancelled and traffic has been disrupted in the northern and north-western counties of Taiwan.