Jangmi Lashes Okinawa With Heavy Rain, Fierce Winds

Tropical Storm Jangmi has left tens of thousands of people across southern Japan without power Tuesday after lashing Okinawa with heavy rain and intense winds.

At least 16 people were injured as the storm, downgraded from a typhoon, brought down trees and flooded roads, according to local media reports.

A government official said the power outages have impacted nearly 48,000 homes in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures, reports The Japan Times. At least 15 buildings had partial damage.

Schools and businesses across Okinawa were closed Monday as the Japan Meteorological Agency warned of violent winds, potential landslides and flooding. But early images showed drivers still on the roads as the storm’s first impacts rolled in.

Hundreds of flight cancellations and delays were still racking up Tuesday, according to FlightAware.com, with more than 200 flights canceled at Tokyo International Airport as the storm moved over the mainland. At least 250 flights were canceled across Japan on Monday.

Tropical Storm Jangmi will spread locally heavy rain and gusty winds through much of southern and central Japan over the next 24 hours, including Tokyo and Osaka, explained weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman.

The highest threat for rainfall flooding from Jangmi will be over southern parts of the island of Shikoku, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

A government spokesman warned that public transportation in Tokyo and nearby cities could be disrupted through Wednesday.