Two Storms Approach Japan With Heavy Rain and Strong Winds

Typhoon Mekkhala, located south of Okinawa as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, is moving slowly northward with a central pressure of 975 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 126 kilometers per hour. The storm is expected to remain strong as it approaches the Nansei Islands from Thursday to Saturday. Authorities have urged residents in Okinawa to complete storm preparations by Wednesday.

Seas around Okinawa are forecast to become rough, with waves reaching five meters on Wednesday and seven meters on Thursday and Friday. m. Friday and up to 150 millimeters in the following 24-hour period. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of possible landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and rising rivers.

Moist air and the seasonal rain front are already bringing heavy rain to parts of western Japan, with several landslides reported in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Higos, located over the Mariana Islands as of 3 p.m.

Wednesday, has a central pressure of 1,000 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 72 kilometers per hour. It is forecast to move slowly northwest and may approach the Ogasawara, Izu, Tokai, or Kanto regions around Friday or Saturday.