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Typhoon Vongfong brought heavy rain and fierce winds to the southern island of Okinawa, Japan, causing flight cancelations and power cuts to over 20,000 homes.

Officials have said the powerful typhoon will be the strongest storm to hit Japan this year.

Typhoon Vongfong is now heading north and is expected to make landfall on Kyushu island on Monday.

Earlier this week, typhoon Phanfone killed nine people in Japan.

Officials have warned Vongfong could bring high waves, storm surges, flooding and landslides.

Storm tracking website Tropical Storm Risk shows Vongfong losing power over the next few days, as it moves northeast along the rest of Japan.

It is said to be carrying winds up to 145mph, but is moving north slowly, at 10mph.

Japan is bracing for the arrival of powerful Typhoon Vongfong

Japan is bracing for the arrival of powerful Typhoon Vongfong

At least 14 people in Okinawa and Kyushu have already been injured by the strong winds, local reports say.

On October 10, an official from Japan’s Meteorological Agency told Reuters news agency: “There is no question that [Vongfong] is an extremely large, extremely powerful typhoon.

“It’s the strongest storm we’ve had this year, definitely, although it has lost some strength from its peak.”

It has picked up strength since it went through several South Pacific islands including Guam.

The Associated Press news agency said it caused little damage on those islands. It had caused brief power outages and there were no reports of deaths or injuries.

Last week parts of Japan were hit by Typhoon Phanfone, though that storm had rapidly lost power by the time it hit Tokyo on Monday.

Japan’s Kyodo news agency said nine people are now known to have been killed by Phanfone, including three US military servicemen in Okinawa who were washed out to sea. Their bodies have since been recovered.

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Japanese authorities have urged hundreds of thousands of people to seek shelter as powerful Typhoon Neoguri passes over Okinawa island chain.

Typhoon Neoguri was due to pass over Okinawa’s main island later on Tuesday, with strong winds and torrential rain.

Forecasters said it generated winds of up to 151 mph and warned of high waves.

Flights have been cancelled and schools shut. Local television footage showed palm trees being tossed by strong wind.

Local authorities urged some 480,000 residents across Okinawa to stay at home or move to community centres for shelter.

Typhoon Neoguri was due to pass over Okinawa's main island later on Tuesday, with strong winds and torrential rain

Typhoon Neoguri was due to pass over Okinawa’s main island later on Tuesday, with strong winds and torrential rain

Four people, including an 83-year-old woman, were injured and a fisherman was reported missing, government officials said.

“There is a risk of unprecedentedly strong winds and torrential rains. Please refrain from non-essential outdoor activities,” Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) spokesman Satoshi Ebihara told a news conference on Monday night.

More than 50,000 households were reported to be without power, and one oil refinery has halted operations.

Residents have also been bracing themselves for rough weather.

Okinawa, Japan’s southern-most prefecture that comprises several islands, is home to major US bases. Around 26,000 US troops are stationed there under a long-standing security alliance.

Officers have evacuated some aircraft from Kadena Air Base in preparation for Typhoon Neoguri’s arrival.

Urging residents to remain on maximum alert, JMA warned of the possibility that Typhoon Neoguri could move north to Japan’s main island of Honshu.

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