Hundreds of thousands of people in southwestern Japan were ordered to evacuate on Friday as Typhoon Dolphin approached, threatening the region with heavy rain, destructive winds, and high waves.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the Category 1 typhoon was moving toward the island chain between the Kyushu region and Okinawa Prefecture, packing maximum sustained winds of 144 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 198 kph.
Evacuation orders were issued for nearly 260,000 residents in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, with authorities urging people in vulnerable areas to move to safety before conditions deteriorate.
The approaching storm also disrupted transport, leading to the cancellation of more than 500 flights. Toyota suspended operations at nine factories across Japan on Friday due to concerns that severe weather could affect the shipment of finished vehicles by sea.
The JMA warned that Typhoon Dolphin was expected to maintain its strength as it neared Okinawa, increasing the risk of structural damage from strong winds. The agency also cautioned that a linear rainband—a narrow zone of intense rainfall and thunderstorms—could develop, raising the likelihood of flooding.
The storm is also affecting much of Kyushu, including Kumamoto Prefecture, which is still recovering from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck the region last week.
About 6,700 people displaced by the earthquake remain in evacuation centers after many homes were damaged or destroyed.
Authorities have urged residents to monitor official weather updates and evacuation information as Typhoon Dolphin continues its approach.
