Authorities issued a warning for inhabitants to take shelter from the “severe waves and winds” as typhoon Muifa made her way into Japan’s southern islands on Sunday.
The Japan Meteorological Agency predicts that on Monday, Muifa will strike Ishigaki island, which is close to Taiwan, before continuing north toward Shanghai and its environs.
According to the agency, the typhoon was 180 kilometers (110 miles) south of Ishigaki as of Sunday afternoon and was moving northwest at a speed of 216 kilometers per hour.
“Very strong Typhoon Muifa is expected to draw very close to (to the region surrounding Ishigaki) on Monday. Violent waves and wind are expected in the region through Tuesday,” the agency said.
The typhoon’s speed may slow down, but “the area may remain under its influence for a long time,” it continued.
The elderly on Ishigaki and other nearby islands are urged to seek refuge before the typhoon makes landfall in Okinawa, a prefecture that includes more than 150 of Japan’s southern islands.
“I would like to ask everyone to be vigilant against violent winds, heavy rains… and take action to protect lives as a top priority,” Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki said Sunday.
