Japanese airlines cancelled more than 100 flights on Friday amid reports of two tropical storms approaching the island country, possibly converging with each other.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
According to AFP, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways cancelled 70 and 50 flights, respectively, from and to the southern regions of Okinawa and Kagoshima.
Regions in Kyoto and Osaka reported rising river levels and issued flood-risk warnings. Kyoto also advised its residents to evacuate because of potential landslides.
The possible convergence of Tropical Storms Mekkhala and Higos could lead to the Fujiwhara effect, making analysis of their movement patterns and strengths difficult.
As per The Japan Times, Mekkhala was located nearly 110 kilometres southeast of Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Thursday, and was moving at 15 km/h, with maximum gusts of 144 km/h. On Saturday, it is expected to approach southern Japan and then turn eastward, with heavy rain in southern and western Japan signalling its arrival.
Meanwhile, Higos was observed in the east of the Philippines, gradually moving towards Japan. It is expected to move northeast and approach mainland Japan on the Pacific coast around Sunday.
Kyodo News reported that automaker Toyota is suspending operations at its plant in Kyushu because of road closures caused by heavy rain, with Nissan also planning to halt some production lines.
The storms also affected the US-Japan joint military exercise, as the planned maiden flight of a V-22 Osprey transport aircraft to Miyako Island was reportedly cancelled.
