Typhoon Podul, also known as Typhoon No. 8, was reported moving southeast over the South China Sea off the Philippines coast, with expectations of approaching Japan’s Miyakojima Island in Okinawa Prefecture. The Japan News indicated that while the typhoon is not expected to make landfall on the main Okinawa Island or main Japan Island, it brought significant weather impacts, including heavy rainfall and strong winds. Local authorities in Okinawa activated emergency preparedness measures, with over 500 residents and tourists advised to seek shelter in designated safe zones on Miyakojima. The typhoon’s maximum sustained winds reached 90 miles per hour, prompting the closure of 15 schools and 20 businesses in the affected areas for safety. The Okinawa government reported that approximately 300 flights were canceled, impacting over 40,000 passengers, while ferry services to surrounding islands were suspended for 48 hours. Rainfall totals reached up to 10 inches in some areas, leading to the deployment of 100 emergency personnel to manage potential flooding. The event highlighted ongoing coordination with regional weather stations, which provided hourly updates, and local infrastructure held up well, with no major damages reported as of August 18. Preparations included the distribution of 5,000 sandbags to vulnerable coastal regions, supporting the community’s resilience.
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