The forecast path of Typhoon In-fa is shown as of 1 p.m. on July 21, 2021. (Image from the Japan Meteorological Agency website)

       TOKYO -- Strong Typhoon In-fa, located south of Okinawa's main island as of the morning of July 21, is expected to bring violent winds to the Sakishima Islands that include Miyako and Ishigaki islands in Okinawa Prefecture on the afternoon of the same day, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

       The sixth typhoon of the year was located approximately 230 kilometers south of Okinawa Prefecture capital Naha as of 9 a.m. on July 21, and slowly moving west-southwest. It had a central atmospheric pressure of 970 hectopascals and a maximum wind speed near its center of 35 meters per second (126 kilometers per hour). It is expected to gain force while traveling farther west over the south seas of Okinawa's main island, and approach the Sakishima Islands by July 24.

       The JMA is warning of strong winds and large waves in the waters near the Sakishima Islands from July 22. The agency says Typhoon In-fa is expected to bring winds of up to 25 m/s (90 kph) with a maximum gust speed of 35 m/s (126 kph) to Okinawa's main island on July 21. Winds of up to 35 m/s are forecast for the Sakishima Islands with a maximum instant gust speed of 50 m/s (180 kph), and winds of up to 18 m/s (64.8 kph) for the Daito Islands with a gust speed of 25 m/s (90 kph).

       In the 24-hour period until noon on July 22, up to 120 millimeters of rain is expected to fall on Okinawa's main island and 180 millimeters on the Sakishima Islands. The agency is warning of mudslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers in those areas.

       (Mainichi)

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