Travellers planning to visit Japan are being urged to monitor the weather as Typhoon Dolphin, a severe tropical cyclone, moves westward after engulfing the Ogasawara Islands in its storm zone, with Okinawa and the Amami Islands expected to face rough seas, gale-force winds and heavy rain in the coming days.
According to Japan's NHK, the typhoon swept across the Ogasawara Islands on Tuesday (Aug. 4). Chichijima recorded a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 33.4 metres per second at around 11:20 a.m. local time. The storm is forecast to continue moving westward, with waves gradually building in Okinawa and the Amami region from Aug. 5, while destructive winds are expected around Aug. 9 (Sunday).
Videos shared by Japanese social media users showed violent winds and torrential rain already battering Hahajima, where loud gusts could be heard outdoors. Local reports said wooden boards at a construction site had been blown loose.
The report said the Ogasawara Islands are expected to experience extremely high waves through Aug. 5, with wave heights forecast to reach 11 metres on Aug. 4 and 9 metres on Aug. 5.
Severe winds are also expected in parts of the islands on Aug. 4, raising the risk of injuries from flying debris and possible overturning of moving trucks. Maximum sustained winds are forecast at 30 metres per second, with gusts reaching 45 metres per second.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has urged residents of the Ogasawara Islands to remain on high alert for dangerous waves and violent winds through Aug. 5 and to avoid unnecessary travel outdoors.
The typhoon is then expected to continue moving west while maintaining its storm zone, gradually approaching Okinawa and the Amami Islands. Okinawa is forecast to experience violent waves from Aug. 5, followed by Amami from Aug. 6. Both regions are expected to face powerful winds from Aug. 6 to around Aug. 9 (Sunday), with authorities warning the public to remain on strict alert for high waves and strong winds.
(Video source: X)
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