Typhoon Man-yi on course to Fukushima nuclear power plant

Japan officials issued a special warning of heavy rain as Typhoon Man-yi hit central Japan and moved toward the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. At the moment, Man-yi is generating heavy rain and wind gusts of more than 140 km/h. It is expected to pass over Fukushima in couple of hours.

Workers at the facility are battening down the site amid fears that more contaminated water will seep into the groundwater and flow into the the sea.

JMA reported the typhoon made landfall in Toyohashi, Aichi prefecture, shortly before 23:00 UTC on Sunday, September 15, packing wind gusts of up to 162 km/h.

Japanese media are mentioning about 560 000 people in the cities of Kyoto and Osaka were ordered or advised to evacuate as rains brought by typhoon caused flooding.

About 350 domestic flights were canceled today. Train services were also reduced.

Officials warned of damaging wind gusts which could potentially cause widespread tree damage, power outages and some structural failures. High surf is expected to pound the entire Pacific Coast of the country through early Tuesday as the storm transitions into a nontropical system.

According to latest JTWC report issued at 03:00 UTC today, Man-yi was located approximately 88 nm west of Yokosuka and has tracked northeastward at 29 knots over the past six hours.

Man-yi warning graphic. Image credit: JTWC

Featured image: Man-yi's position on September 15, 2013, at 23:32 UTC. Image credit: JTWC