Super typhoon Neoguri has the same destructive power as the 2011 tsunami disaster in Japan

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued its highest level warning for super typhoon Neoguri, meaning the storm could cause huge damage to people and property.

Typhoon Neoguri is expected to become a super typhoon when it makes landfall on the island of Kyushu on July 8, and could be one of the strongest storms to hit Japan in decades, the JMA said. Typhoon Neoguri has winds of up to 198 km/h and gusts of up to 270 km, creating waves of up to 14 meters.

"There is a risk of unprecedented strong winds and extremely heavy rain. Please refrain from unnecessary outdoor activities," Satoshi Ebihara, a representative of the Meteorological Agency, advised at a press conference.

Affected by the storm, heavy rain began on July 7 in Fukuoka. Photo: Japan Times

The agency also issued a special warning for strong winds and storm surges. Neoguri's devastating power is likely to revive horrific memories of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The Japanese government also held an emergency meeting and called on local authorities and people to take maximum precautions.

The storm is forecast to hit the island nation of Kyushu and then Japan's main island of Honshu. It is forecast to weaken over land, but heavy winds and rain could cause landslides and other damage, Ebihara warned.

The command of Kadena Air Force Base, one of the largest US military bases in Okinawa, has ordered the evacuation of some of its aircraft to safety.

“We could not have predicted the strength and the danger of the typhoon when it hit Okinawa,” said James Hecker, commander of the 18th US Air Force Squadron in Japan. “It was forecast to be the strongest typhoon in 15 years in Japan. So, we had to be prepared.”

Before making landfall in Japan, the Philippines was hit by Neoguri's fierce winds late yesterday with gusts reaching about 480 km.

According to Hanoi Moi Online