Typhoon Meari expected to make landfall in Japan

TokYO Kyodo Typhoon Meari is expected to make landfall on Japan's Pacific coast close to Tokyo on Saturday during the annual Bon summer holiday season, according to the weather agency.

The agency warned of disasters including potential landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, overflowing rivers, strong winds and high waves, especially in the Tokai region in central Japan.

In the 24 hours to 6 a.m. Sunday, Typhoon Meari was expected to bring up to 300 millimeters of rain to the Tokai region, 250 mm to the east Japan's Kanto-Koshin region and 120 mm to the Tohoku region in the northeast, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The agency said thunderstorms and very strong rain were expected primarily on Japan's Pacific coast, with some areas likely to be hit by torrential rain and some parts seeing more rain if linear rainbands develop.

The forecast for peak gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour was forecast for the Tohoku, Kanto and Tokai regions on Saturday, with swells and stormy conditions at sea.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, Typhoon Meari was about 130 kilometers southwest of Omaezaki in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan. It moved north-northeast at 20 kph. It had an atmospheric pressure of 1,000 hectopascals at its centre and was packing winds of up to 72 kph, according to the agency.