Asia

Japanese Airlines Cancel Nearly 2,000 Flights Amid Approaching Typhoon Hagibis - Reports

TOKYO (Sputnik) - Japanese airlines have cancelled 1,929 international and domestic flights due to an approaching powerful typhoon, called Hagibis, NHK reported on Saturday.
Sputnik

The NHK broadcaster reported that earlier in the day, that Japan Airlines Corporation (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), Peach Aviation had cancelled 262 international flights.

Meanwhile, 13 air carriers, including JAL and ANA, have cancelled 1,667 domestic flights.

Hagibis is expected to make landfall on Japan's Pacific coast, including the Greater Tokyo Area, later on Saturday. There is currently heavy rainfall and strong wind in the Japanese capital.

More than 4.2 million residents in 10 Japanese prefectures, including Tokyo Metropolis, have received recommendations to evacuate due to the disaster, while another 50,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, which means they were already facing danger to life and limb, the broadcaster NHK reported.

On Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on the government to ensure safety for the country’s residents amid approaching Hagibis.

"It is necessary to spread the latest and clear information; take preventative measures together with regional administrations; make everything possible for ensuring the public safety and calmness," Abe said, as quoted by the NHK broadcaster.

Schools in Tokyo, which is expected to be affected by the typhoon, have cancelled Saturday classes.

Meteorologists have been comparing Hagibis to powerful Typhoon Ida, which killed 1,269 people and devastated the country in 1958.

Discuss