Tropical storm Chaba intensified into a Category 3 equivalent hurricane on Sunday. The strong typhoon is likely to threaten lives and bring damage to property across the Ryukyu Islands and mainland Japan over this week.
Meteorologists across the world are expecting Chaba to reach the potency of a Category 4 hurricane by early this week.
We cannot rule out damaging winds and torrential rains around Chaba's center. This could hamper shipping activities.
People living in the Ryukyu Islands and over the southern mainland of Japan need to prepare for the typhoon. This is because the typhoon could directly hit the land or pass dangerously close to the islands, during the first half of the week.
The worst risk will be posed over Okinawa and Amami islands. They could be battered by strong damaging winds and flooding rains till about Monday night. Seas are likely to become dangerously rough and lash the coastline, bringing flash floods.
In case Chaba makes a landfall over any of these islands then we can expect damaging winds and prolonged power outages. Winds can gust up to 160 kmph, bringing down power lines and uprooting roofs of buildings. We also cannot rule out rainfalls to the tune of 125 to 250 mm. The recovery period for the islands could be long drawn.
Image Credit - CIMSS
