Flights Cancelled as Powerful Typhoon Approaches Northeastern Japan

More than 100 flights were cancelled and evacuation warnings were issued for thousands of people as the powerful Typhoon Lionrock approached Japan's northeast. The powerful typhoon could make landfall in the region on Tuesday afternoon, bringing heavy rains. 

    Japan's Meteorological Agency said that Typhoon Lionrock is packing winds of more than 120 kilometers per hour near its center. The storm was about 100 kilometers east-northeast of the city of Iwaki, north of Tokyo, on Tuesday. It was moving north-northwest at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour, Japan's NHK broadcaster reported. 

    The storm has a central atmospheric pressure of 965 hectopascals. A total of 110 flights, mainly to and from airports in the Tohoku region and Hokkaido, have already been canceled or will be canceled on Tuesday, according to NHK. 

    Meanwhile, workers at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have suspended some of the decommissioning work and stopped the operation of a crane being used to demolish a temporary cover over one of the reactor buildings. Officials say they are closely watching to make sure the cover is not blown off by the typhoon.

    TEPCO says it has also taken measures to prevent contaminated rain water and groundwater from leaking into the ocean. Lionrock is projected to change its course to the northwest and land near the Tohoku region on Tuesday evening. 

    Weather officials warn there will be thunderstorms and heavy rainfall of up to 80 millimeters per hour in some parts of northern and eastern Japan. In the Tohoku region, rainfall could reach 250 millimeters by Tuesday evening.

Source: QNA