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Typhoon-hit Japan asks a million to evacuate

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IANS Tokyo
Last Updated : Aug 10 2014 | 4:50 PM IST

More than one million people have been told by authorities to leave their homes as a powerful typhoon hit south-west Japan, BBC reported Sunday.

Typhoon Halong made landfall near Aki, Kochi prefecture, at around 6.00 a.m. (21:00 GMT Saturday), BBC quoted the Japan Meteorological Agency as saying, adding that the torrential rain in Mie prefecture, west of Tokyo, was already "unprecedented" and could trigger landslides or major floods.

At least one person was killed and over 30 injured, broadcaster NHK said, adding that winds of up to 180km per hour were moving slowly north-east. Local authorities, mainly in western Japan, issued evacuation advisories to nearly 1.5 million people.

On Saturday, airlines grounded about 470 flights and at least 143 more flights were due to be cancelled Sunday.

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First Published: Aug 10 2014 | 4:44 PM IST

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