Typhoon forces Japan to evacuate over two million people while heavy rain shuts down parts of Taiwan

The Kamo river is swollen after heavy rainfall in Kyoto, Japan - (Kyodo)

Authorities in Japan are evacuating more than two million people and issuing warnings for floods and landslides as Typhoon Mekhhala approaches the region.

Torrential rains and strong winds from the typhoon, which is currently a tropical storm, are also battering Taiwan, forcing authorities to shut down parts of the island.