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Hundreds of flights canceled as typhoon hits Japan

Monday, 22 August 2016 5:38 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 22 August 2016 6:12 AM ]

People crowd at the departure lobby at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on August 22, 2016. (AFP photo)

A powerful typhoon packed with heavy rain and strong winds is headed to the Japanese capital, forcing the cancellation of hundred of flights to and from Tokyo.

Typhoon Mindulle was expected to make landfall near Tokyo on Monday at around noon local time (0300 GMT).

The Japan Meteorological Agency said Mindulle is moving upwards at a speed of 25 kilometers (16 miles) per hour from Miyake island to Tokyo.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage on Miyake, an island of around 2,600 residents which is known for fishing, tourism and farming.

"In Tokyo... please exercise caution for landslides, flooding in low lying areas, surging rivers, violent wind and high waves," the weather agency said.

The storm caused airlines across the country to cancel a total of 387 flights, mostly to and from Tokyo's Haneda airport, national broadcaster NHK said.

A woman walks under heavy rain in downtown Tokyo on August 22, 2016. (AFP photo)

Japan Airlines said it canceled 145 domestic flights through mid-afternoon, affecting 26,910 customers, while All Nippon Airways canceled 96 domestic flights, affecting 21,300 passengers.

Major train services in Tokyo and its surrounding region operated normally during the morning commuting hours, including super fast bullet trains.

Separately, Typhoon Kompasu which hit Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido Sunday had been downgraded to a temperate depression by early Monday and moved away into the Sea of Okhotsk.

Heavy rains since Saturday caused high waves and rivers to flood in Hokkaido, but caused only three minor injuries.

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