Powerful typhoon hits Okinawa

TOKYO — One of the most powerful typhoons in decades hit Okinawa on Sunday night, with meteorologists warning it could bring record rain and wind to the southern region and waves of up to 13 meters.

Typhoon Bolaven, packing winds of up to 252 kilometers per hour, was some 90 kilometers east of Okinawa’s capital Naha at 8 p.m., slowly moving north-northwest, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

“As the typhoon is moving slowly, violent winds are expected to continue for many hours on the Okinawa main island,” the agency said, also warning of 13-meter waves through Monday.

The atmospheric pressure of the typhoon indicated it was one of the strongest since the weather agency started taking records about 60 years ago, local media said.

Residents of Naha city were being advised to stay indoors as public broadcaster NHK showed footage of deserted streets lined with trees felled by strong winds.

Some 300 residents evacuated to municipal offices and other public facilities, NTV reported, fearing that their homes may be submerged in heavy rains.

The traffic system was paralyzed, with all flights canceled and roads and bus services closed.

About 3,000 homes in Okinawa and 16,400 homes in Amami island were hit by a blackout, the news agency reported, citing local utilities.