Typhoon Bavi batters Japan’s Okinawa, triggers flood warnings

Powerful Typhoon Bavi struck Japan's southern prefecture of Okinawa on July 11, disrupting air travel and prompting authorities to warn of landslides, flooding and dangerous coastal conditions.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the storm could bring violent winds strong enough to damage or topple houses, along with high waves and storm surges that pose a risk to low-lying coastal and riverside areas, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Bavi is expected to pass through the remote Sakishima Islands in Okinawa before moving away from Japan.

As of 6 a.m. local time on July 11, the season's ninth typhoon was located east-southeast of Miyako Island and moving at around 20 km/h, with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 216 km/h.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert as severe weather conditions continued to affect the region.

By Sabina Mammadli