Typhoon Pulasan to be closest to Okinawa's main island Wednesday evening

Big tropical storm Pulasan is predicted to strike Okinawa Prefecture's main island in southwest Japan at its closest point on Wednesday night, according to the nation's weather bureau.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Pulasan, packing winds of up to about 80 kilometers per hour with maximum gusts of 126 kilometers per hour, was moving northwest at 20 kilometers per hour over waters south of Minami-Daito Island in Okinawa on Wednesday morning.

Okinawa's main island and the Amami region of Kagoshima Prefecture are expected to be hit with winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour, with maximum gusts possibly reaching 108 kilometers per hour, according to the JMA.

High waves and swells are likely around the two prefectures through Thursday, it added.

Weather officials said severe thunderstorms could bring up to 150 millimeters of rain to Okinawa by Thursday noon, and up to 120 millimeters in the Amami region and the Tanegashima and Yakushima region of Kagoshima.

The agency urged people to stay alert for high waves, strong winds, storm surges, landslides, floodwaters in low-lying areas and swollen rivers.

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