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Typhoon Maria bringing gusts to Okinawa islands

Jul 11 (NHK) - Typhoon Maria is bringing strong winds and rough seas to a remote island chain in Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa.

The Meteorological Agency says the typhoon was located 190 kilometers north-northwest of Yonaguni in the Sakishima island chain as of 3 AM on Wednesday, local time, and is moving at 30 kilometers per hour.

The central atmospheric pressure is 940 hectopascals.

Maria is packing winds of 180 kilometers per hour near its center. Its maximum instantaneous wind velocity is 250 kilometers per hour.

The island chain is out of the storm zone, but gusty winds are still blowing.

The agency forecasts that the strong winds and high waves will continue in the region, and there is a chance of thunderstorms.

It is urging people to stay on the alert for landslides and overflowing rivers.

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