Typhoon to hit Japan on Tuesday; meteorological agency issues warnings

Tokyo: Japanese authorities on Monday issued warnings of intense rainfall, winds and waves as a powerful typhoon is set to hit the country on Tuesday.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Lionrock, this year's tenth typhoon in the Pacific described as "very strong", was around 350 km to the southwest of the Hachijo island in the Izu archipelago, at 9 a.m. on Monday, reported Efe news.

The typhoon was moving northwest at a speed of 25 kmph, accompanied by winds of up to 216 kmph, the JMA said.

According to its forecast, the typhoon will strengthen and change its trajectory in the next few hours towards Honshu, Japan's main island and also its most populated, passing near Tokyo before continuing its passage towards China.

Over 150 mm of rainfall is also expected on Tuesday morning, according to JMA.

Lionrock is the third such storm to hit Japan since August 21, when typhoon Kompasu left one person dead on the northern island of Hokkaido.

A day later, typhoon Mindulle swept through Tokyo, killing one and injuring 30, besides prompting the cancellation of over 400 flights.