Typhoon Chata'an batters Japan
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Typhoon Chata'an, seen on this satellite image acquired on July 9, is directly south of Japan and continues to move north at 12 knots. Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 110 knots, with gusts of up to 135 knots.
Imagery is provided courtesy of NOAA.
Imagery is provided courtesy of NOAA.
Click here to see larger images of Typhoon Chata'anA man was missing after being swept away by a swollen river as Typhoon Chata'an bore down on Japan on Wednesday, prompting authorities to call for the evacuation of more than 15,000 people. Broad swathes of rice fields and houses in central Japan's Gifu prefecture were flooded, while fierce waves pounded beaches in other parts of the nation and flights were cancelled and trains halted. Typhoon Chata'an, which means "a rainy day" in the Chamorro language of Guam, appeared to be living up to its name, dumping more than 450 mm (18 inches) of rain on some parts of Gifu. "The characteristic of this storm is the rain. We haven't heard so much yet about damage from the wind," an official at the Meteorological Agency said. As it raged across the Pacific earlier this month the storm triggered landslides that killed dozens in Micronesia and left a trail of destruction in its wake in the Philippines. Gifu officials have recommended some 15,000 people be evacuated due to the danger of flooding.
