Thousands in shelters as 'dangerous' typhoon hits Japan; govt also issues tsunami alert after earthquake hits Taiwan

Roadside trees are blown by strong winds as Typhoon Nanmadol approaches in Kagoshima city, south of Kyushu, on Sunday, September 18, 2022. — AFP

MINAMATA, Japan, Sept 18, 2022 (AFP): Thousands of people took refuge in shelters in southwestern Japan on Sunday as powerful Typhoon Nanmadol churned towards the region, prompting authorities to urge over four million residents to evacuate.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a rare "special warning" for Kagoshima and Miyazaki in the Kyushu region -- an alert that is issued only when it forecasts conditions seen once in several decades.