Oct 08 (Japan Times) - The extremely large typhoon Hagibis is gaining force over the Pacific south of Japan and is forecast to approach Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu during the upcoming three-day weekend, the Meteorological Agency said.
The agency called Monday for precautions and early preparations in anticipation of the season’s 19th typhoon hitting the main islands.
As of Monday evening, Hagibis was moving over the Mariana Islands on a west-northwesterly track, the agency said.
The typhoon was expected to turn north and approach areas around Daitojima in Okinawa around Friday.
Hagibis may head on to Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu, lashing those areas from Saturday to Sunday, the agency said.
The storm was forecast to cause high waves in Okinawa as well as the Ogasawara Islands around the middle of the week, and on the Pacific coast of Honshu around Friday.
There is also a risk of storms and heavy rains starting around Saturday in a wide range of areas from western to northern parts of the country.
