Around 7.
3 million people were forced to evacuate in Japan after typhoon Hagibis hit the south coast, injuring over 30 residents.
People were placed under non-compulsory evacuation orders as the typhoon forecast to be the country’s most powerful in 6 decades hit Honshu Island.
Even before the typhoon made landfall, Hagibis already caused disruptions, grounding all flights in the Tokyo region, delaying the Japanese Grand Prix, and canceling two Rugby World Cup matches.
“Be ready for rainfall of the kind that you have never experienced,” said meteorological agency official Yasushi Kajihara. “Take all measures necessary to save your life.”
Two hours before arriving on the coast, the storm already took two lives when unforgiving winds from its outer bands flipped a vehicle in Chiba east of Tokyo.
However, it was Hagibis’ cruel rain that prompted the JMa to issue the highest-level emergency warning for Tokyo and its surrounding areas.
JMA forecaster Yasushi Kajiwara said: “Unprecedented heavy rain has been seen in cities, towns and villages for which the emergency warning was issued.
“The possibility is extremely high that disasters such as landslides and floods have already occurred. It is important to take action that can help save your lives.”
At least two landslides have been confirmed, one man in his 60s killed in north of Tokyo.
Tens of thousands were in shelters by early evening but a 5.7-magnitute quake rattled the city.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centered in the ocean off the Chiba coast and was around 59.5 kilometers deep.
A 93-year-old man said: “I evacuated because my roof was ripped off by the other typhoon and rain came in. I’m so worried about my house.”
Outside of Tokyo, a 77-year-old man said: “I’m 77 and I’ve never seen anything like this.
“We can hear an infernal din from the rain and the wind, and a fragment of the roof has gone. For an hour, the house was shaking from wind and rain.”
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