Wrath of nature

Typhoon Hagibis hits RWC host nation

TOKYO - One man died and more than a million in Japan were advised to evacuate as a powerful typhoon was set to make landfall late yesterday, bringing with it the heaviest rain and winds in 60 years.

The approaching super typhoon has already forced the cancellation of two matches of the rugby World Cup on Saturday, while a Sunday match between host Japan and Scotland is in doubt.

A man in his forties was killed in an overturned car early yesterday in Chiba prefecture east of Tokyo, where high winds were reported, according to public broadcaster NHK. Four people were injured, also in Chiba, as winds blew roofs off several houses.

A number of municipal governments issued evacuation advisories to areas particularly at risk of floods and landslides, including some in the most populous greater Tokyo region, NHK said.

Typhoon Hagibis, which means “speed” in the Philippine language Tagalog, is due to make landfall on Japan’s main island of Honshu late on Saturday, a month after one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country in recent years destroyed or damaged 30,000 houses and caused extensive power outages.

More than 16,000 households have lost power, including 7,200 in Chiba, which was hit hard by typhoon Faxai a month ago, the industry ministry said.

The Defense Ministry set up a new Twitter account to disseminate information on disaster relief efforts.

Stores, factories and subway systems have been shut down as a precaution, while Japanese Formula One Grand Prix organizers canceled all practice and qualifying sessions scheduled for Saturday.

Two matches of the Rugby World Cup due to be played on Saturday were also canceled. More than 1,600 flights have been canceled. Narita international airport near Tokyo stopped accepting flights as trains connecting to cities were suspended.

Storm surges continue to hit the Pacific coast of Honshu on Saturday and Sunday, as are torrential rain, causing floods and landslides.

Typhoon Ida, known as the “Kanogawa Typhoon” in Japanese, killed more than 1,000 people in 1958.

Picture: REUTERS/ KYODO Destroyed houses, cars and power poles, which according to local media, were believed to be caused by a tornado, are seen as Typhoon Hagibis approaches the Tokyo area in Ichihara, east of Tokyo, Japan.

Picture: REUTERS Roads are flooded due to heavy rains caused by Typhoon Hagibis in Shizuoka, Japan. Inset: Spectators who evacuate from Typhoon Hagibis, gather at a makeshift accommodation for spectators. Spec