Residents in parts of Japan are being urged to evacuate as Typhoon Ampil approaches the coast near Tokyo. The storm, now a Category 4 equivalent with winds reaching 212 km/h (131 mph), is currently 121 nautical miles southeast of Yokosuka, Greater Tokyo. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reports that Ampil intensified rapidly due to warm waters, potentially strengthening further in the next 12 hours.
In Isumi, a coastal city expected to face severe impacts, authorities have issued evacuation orders for nearly 17,000 households, prioritising the elderly and disabled. Similar warnings have been issued in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, with residents advised to prepare for possible evacuations.
By Friday morning, heavy rain and strong winds led to power outages affecting over a thousand households, according to TEPCO. Transportation services are also disrupted: Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have canceled around 500 flights, and several bullet train lines, including the key Tokaido line, face suspensions and delays.
Meteorologists warn of potential violent winds, heavy rain, flooding, and landslides in northern and eastern Japan. While the storm is expected to stay offshore, its path could still bring significant weather impacts to the region. Typhoon Ampil is anticipated to weaken by Saturday morning as it moves into cooler waters.
Typhoon Ampil strikes Japan, causing evacuations and power outages
