Chan - Hom May Bring Heavy Rain To Japan
Japanese weather officials say Severe Tropical Storm Chan-hom may approach the country over the weekend, bringing heavy rain to western and eastern regions.
The Meteorological Agency says Chan-hom was moving west-northwest at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour over waters south of Japan as of noon on Wednesday.
It had a central atmospheric pressure of 975 hectopascals, and was packing maximum winds of 108 kilometers per hour near its center.
The agency predicts the storm may approach the Daitojima region of Okinawa Prefecture on Thursday morning while it develops. It may come close to the Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture and western Japan as early as Friday.
Weather officials say through Thursday, winds of up to 90 kilometers per hour are expected to hit Okinawa and the Amami region, with maximum gusts of up to 126 kilometers per hour.
Winds of nearly up to 65 kilometers per hour are expected in southern Kyushu, with maximum gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour.
Waves are expected to reach as high as 9 meters in southern Kyushu and Amami, and 8 meters in Okinawa.
The officials also say 100 millimeters of rain is expected in Okinawa during the 24 hours ending Thursday morning.
In the 24 hours from Thursday through Friday morning, up to 200 millimeters of rain is expected in southern Kyushu and Okinawa, and up to 150 millimeters is forecast for the Amami region.
The officials say although the storm's course could change drastically before approaching Japan, rainfall may intensify in western and eastern Japan from Friday.
They are advising people to stay updated with weather reports.
