“Meteorological officials have issued an emergency warning for violent winds, high waves and a storm surge in Kagoshima prefecture,” NHK reported. Residents in 965,000 households have been ordered to evacuate the coastal cities of Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Amakusa. A level five alert, the highest on Japan’s disaster warning scale, was issued to more than 14,000 people in the city of Nishinoomote on Kyushu island, NHK reported. “There is a possibility of heavy rainfall and an emergency heavy rainfall warning will be issued,” the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. “The highest level of vigilance is required for rising water levels and river flooding, landslides and lowland flooding.” Ryuta Kurora, a JMA official, warned Saturday that strong winds could cause houses to collapse. Kurora urged residents to evacuate before the storm hits to avoid the risk of landslides and flooding. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have already canceled at least 335 flights scheduled to depart or arrive at Japanese airports on Sunday, according to NHK. “The eye of typhoon Nanmadol is clearly visible in satellite images. The typhoon has been developing rapidly since Friday night,” NHK reported.
