NAHA - Large and very strong Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) may directly hit Okinawa Prefecture this weekend, with disaster-level winds strong enough to damage homes expected as the storm approaches the Sakishima Islands. The typhoon, currently east of the Philippines, is moving west and is expected to come closest to Okinawa Prefecture from Friday night while carrying a storm zone. The Sakishima Islands, including Ishigaki Island, face the risk of a direct hit.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Typhoon No. 9 was located east of the Philippines at 9 a.m. on July 8 and was moving west at 20 kilometers per hour. Its central pressure was 925 hectopascals, indicating that it had strengthened further from observations three hours earlier. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 meters per second near its center and maximum instantaneous gusts of 70 meters per second, keeping it in the large and very strong category.
The typhoon is forecast to move west to northwest while maintaining very strong intensity. It is expected to approach the Sakishima Islands on Friday, July 10, and then move northwest near the island chain around Saturday, July 11, while retaining roughly its current strength and storm zone. Forecast uncertainty in its track is relatively small, making this course increasingly likely.
Winds in Okinawa Prefecture are expected to strengthen gradually from July 9, bringing the risk of strong winds and high waves. The weather agency is urging residents to complete preparations early.
Around the Sakishima Islands, conditions are expected to deteriorate from the latter half of July 9, with the area likely to enter the typhoon's storm zone for an extended period. Violent winds, heavy rain and severely rough weather are expected. The peak of rain and wind is forecast from Friday night through Saturday morning, after rain clouds associated with the typhoon begin covering Okinawa on July 9.
Maximum instantaneous gusts of 70 meters per second are forecast, raising the risk of disaster-level winds that could blow roofs off buildings and potentially cause homes to collapse. Residents are urged to remain on strict alert and stay in safe places as the typhoon approaches.
Seas are already rising across the Nansei Islands as swells from the typhoon move into the region. Wave heights around Okinawa are expected to reach 2.5 meters or higher as the storm approaches, rising to rough seas of 4 meters or more by the latter half of July 9. From the night of July 9 into July 10 and beyond, waves of 6 meters or higher are expected, creating very rough sea conditions.
Even while the typhoon remains some distance away, sudden high waves may reach a wide area along the Pacific coast from western Japan to eastern Japan. Because the typhoon is large, its effects could spread across a broad region.
Residents and travelers are urged to monitor the latest typhoon information, finish preparations early and avoid coastal and marine activities as conditions worsen.
Source: ウェザーニュース
