Typhoon Bavi LIVE: Strong Winds Cause Havoc In Japan's Okinawa With Violent Rain | N18G

Typhoon Bavi battered Japan's southern Sakishima island chain with torrential rain and powerful winds on Saturday before advancing towards Taiwan, triggering widespread travel disruptions, power outages and mass evacuations across the region. Authorities in Japan, Taiwan and China warned of flooding, landslides and damaging winds as one of the largest storms in decades swept across East Asia. The storm lashed Okinawa prefecture's Ishigaki Island, where deserted streets were strewn with debris carried by fierce winds. Boats at local harbours were tossed by rough seas as Bavi packed maximum sustained winds of 144 kmph (90 mph) near its centre. Officials warned that wind gusts could reach up to 198 kmph. The severe weather brought transport to a standstill across the island. All flights and ferry services to and from Ishigaki remained suspended throughout Saturday. Airlines cancelled 345 flights, while more than 24,000 households across Okinawa were left without electricity. Residents of Japan's remote Sakishima Islands spent Friday preparing for the typhoon by reinforcing windows and securing homes and businesses against the approaching storm. Japan Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights on Friday and Saturday, disrupting travel for nearly 20,000 passengers, while All Nippon Airways grounded more than 160 flights through Sunday, affecting another 20,000 passengers, according to news agency Reuters. #TyphoonBavi #Japan #Okinawa #Ishigaki #Weather #BreakingNews #Storm #WorldNews #Typhoon #Climate