Typhoon Francisco Brings Heavy Rain to Southern Japan

Tokyo, October 25 (QNA) -A powerful Typhoon Francisco approached southern Japan early Friday, bringing heavy downpours and strong winds to the region. More than 10,000 residents were urged to evacuate in Kochi prefecture on the south-western island of Shikoku and 3,800 households suffered power outages on southern islands in Kagoshima prefecture, including Amami-Oshima Island, broadcaster NHK reported. Authorities warned of mudslides, flooding and high waves in wide areas of western and southern Japan. As of 9 am (0000 GMT), Typhoon Francisco was about 210 kilometres north of Minami Daito Island, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The season's 27th typhoon, travelling north-east at a speed of 20 kilometres per hour (kph), had maximum sustained winds of 108 kph and gusts of 162 kph, the agency said. Last week, Typhoon Wipha lashed eastern Japan, leaving 31 deaths and 13 missing on Izu Oshima Island, 120 kilometres south of Tokyo.(QNA)