TOKYO, August 9 (RIA Novosti) - Some 140,000 residents of southern Japan have been advised to leave their homes due to the advancing Halong typhoon, while airlines have cancelled at least 460 flights in the area, Japanese media reported Saturday.
The evacuation recommendation spread on the prefectures of Tokushima on the Shikoku Island, Kochi, and parts Hiroshima and Osaka. Those regions fear the heavy rains may cause landslides.
Japan Airlines (JAL) has cancelled 135 flights that connect southern parts of the country with the rest of its territory. Japan Air Commuter (JAC) cancelled 125 flights, All Nippon Airlines (ANA) - 94 flights. Jetstar Airways, Skymark Airlines, Peach Aviation and other airlines held off some flights.
Super typhoon Halong, which received the 11th category in Japan, is nearing the south-east of the Kyushu Island, and is expected to approach Shikoku by Saturday night. The typhoon is expected to pass most of Japan's territory over the weekend and reach its northwestern regions by Monday.
The typhoon's central pressure stands at 950 millibars and the speed of 90 miles per hour (40 meters per second).
The typhoon's low speed increases the chance of landslides. Special warning has been issued for Shikoku, which expects about 700 millimeters of rainfall, Kyushu, and the Kinki region of Japan's main island Honshu. Kinki may see 600 millimeters of rainfall.
Four people have suffered from the approaching typhoon already.
Last month, the southern and central regions of Japan were hit by typhoon Neoguri, which was declared the most powerful of all that passed over the Japanese archipelago in July. Neoguri claimed three lives and left 63 people injured.
