Tropical storm Chaba is all set to intensify into a powerful typhoon by the weekend. Weather conditions are favourable for the further intensification of the system, which would have the potential equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane by late Sunday.
As the system gains more strength, we can expect it to give torrential rains accompanied with damaging winds. Sea will become rough, posing threat to shipping interests.
According to weathermen, the typhoon poses great threat to the Ryukyu Islands and southern mainland Japan as the potential typhoon may direct hit or pass dangerously close during the first half of next week.
Moreover, by that time, Chaba is expected to further strengthen into the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane before threatening the Ryukyu Islands.
Squally winds and flooding rainfall are likely to batter Okinawa and Amami islands from Sunday night into Monday.
After lashing these islands, Chaba is then likely to curve and move toward mainland Japan or the far northern Ryukyu Islands.
Meteorologists are keeping a strict vigil on the progress of Chaba, which could possibly impact several areas of Japan such as Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Hiroshima, Osaka and Tokyo. As of now, it is only the frequency of how quick Chaba will turn that will determine which areas would endure the worst impacts.
Image credit: www.ncdc.noaa.gov
