Japan orders thousands to evacuate as Typhoon Ampil strengthens near Tokyo

CNN —

People in parts of Japan are being told to evacuate, with some homes losing power on Friday as Typhoon Ampil approaches the coast near the capital.

The storm, located 121 nautical miles southeast of Yokosuka, Greater Tokyo, has intensified to the equivalent strength of a Category 4 hurricane, bringing winds of up to 212 kilometers per hour (131 mph) as it moves north at 18 kph (11 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Ampil had rapidly intensified over the past two days, partly because it moved over very warm water – meaning more moisture in the air to fuel the typhoon. It could strengthen further in the next 12 hours, with the storm reaching peak intensity as it passes by Japan.

In the coastal city of Isumi, one of the areas expected to feel the brunt of the nearby storm by late Friday, authorities issued an evacuation notice to nearly 17,000 households – calling on the elderly and those with disabilities to evacuate, according to public broadcaster NHK.

A similar notice was issued in the city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo, with authorities warning that all residents should be prepared to evacuate.

Airlines canceled flights as the storm approached Japan.

By Friday morning, as rain and wind picked up in coastal areas, more than a thousand households lost power, according to electricity company TEPCO.

Railways and airlines are also canceling services on Friday, during the peak summer travel season.

Two major airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, canceled about 500 flights in total serving the capital’s Haneda and Narita airports, NHK reported.

Rail travel has been disrupted too. Six lines on Japan’s extensive bullet train network are suspending services between certain stations