Powerful typhoon approaches southwestern Japanese islands

ANKARA

A powerful typhoon is expected to hit Japan's southwestern island region of Amami on Saturday evening, the state weather service said.

Typhoon Bebinca could bring strong winds, landslides, flooding, and heavy rain in the region, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported, citing a Japan Meteorological Agency statement.

On Saturday morning, the typhoon was located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) east of Minamidaito Island and was moving west-northwest at around 30 km (18 mi) per hour, said the agency.

This is 13th typhoon of the season, as last month Typhoon Shanshan resulted in six fatalities and left over 100 people injured across southwestern and western Japan. The severe weather also damaged homes and infrastructure and disrupted flight and railway service.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid