As an intense typhoon batters southern Japan with torrential rain and thunderstorms, authorities have ordered millions of people to evacuate their homes.
Local governments have now ordered more than eight million people in southern and western Japan to flee due to Typhoon Nanmadol, which has already caused power outages and flight cancellations.
Officials issued a level 5 alert – for more than 330,000 people in Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Oita prefectures.
While the level 4 alert prompting the evacuation order for eight million people affects 3.7 million households in parts of the Kyushu, Shikoku and Chugoku regions.
Forecasters have warned of strong winds and high waves “like never before”, with the threat of river flooding, strong waves, strong winds and landslides.
Nanmadol, classified as a super typhoon by the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, is heading towards the country’s main southern island of Kyushu.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the area faced flooding from 500 mm of rain and winds of up to 250 km/h on Sunday.
It also warned residents of “unprecedented” levels of strong winds and waves in some areas, urging them to evacuate early.
Nanmadol is expected to turn east and arrive in Tokyo on Tuesday before heading out to sea. In the affected areas, thousands of residents have taken refuge in evacuation centers.
