Okinawa braces for powerful Typhoon Chaba

Japan’s southwestern island of Okinawa is bracing for powerful typhoon Chaba. Domestic and international flights to and from Okinawa were all canceled after terminal buildings at Naha Airport closed down on Monday afternoon. The Meteorological Agency says Chaba is moving north-north-west at a speed of 20 kilometers an hour. The typhoon was about 130 kilometers south of Kumejima island in Okinawa Prefecture as of 4PM. (Image: Reproduction/ANN) With its central pressure as low as 915 hectopascals, Chaba is packing winds of nearly 200 kilometers an hour near its center. Weather officials are ranking Chaba “violent,” the strongest level. Local authorities in Okinawa Prefecture have issued evacuation advisories for residents in some coastal areas vulnerable to high tides and violent storm. Chaba is expected to come close to Okinawa, and the Amami islands in Kagoshima Prefecture Monday evening through Tuesday morning. Winds are already intensifying there. Weather officials are warning residents...