Already damage in the Kagoshima region.

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Motoki Nakashima / AP / SIPA

A powerful cyclone began to hit southern Japan on Sunday as authorities warned people of record rainfall and winds that could shatter utility poles and overturn cars.

Cyclone Haishen, categorized as "large" and "extremely strong," prompted calls to evacuate more than three million residents, mostly to Kyushu, one of Japan's main islands, which the storm is expected to hit. in the night from Sunday to Monday.

The storm however weakened somewhat and contrary to previous forecasts, was moving west, away from the mainland.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said it was no longer likely to issue a high typhoon alert but urged residents to exercise "utmost caution" in the face of possible record rainfall, strong winds, high waves and strong tides.

Record precipitation levels expected

“We expect record precipitation levels.

They could cause landslides or even flooding near large rivers, ”Yoshihisa Nakamoto, director of the weather agency's forecast division, told a televised meeting.

He added that the strong tides could cause flooding in low lying areas, especially near the mouths of rivers.

Sunday afternoon, the storm swept over a string of small islands near Kyushu.

Images show trees bent under the force of the winds as well as torrents of water.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who organized a meeting to discuss the means to be deployed, warned of the risks of flooding and landslides.

“The greatest caution is required as record levels of precipitation, high winds, strong waves and high tides are possible,” he said.

2.5 million people to be evacuated

At 3:00 p.m. local time (06:00 GMT), Haishen was about 110 kilometers southwest of Yakushima Island with wind gusts of up to 216 km / h, strong enough to overturn vehicles and smash utility poles. in wood.

According to the Meteorological Agency, the storm is expected to move north-northwest and pass off the west coast of Kyushu overnight from Sunday to Monday before reaching South Korea.

Nearly 2.5 million Kyushu residents have been called to evacuate, especially in Kagoshima and neighboring Miyazaki, according to the Disaster Management Agency.

Across the country, calls to evacuate have been issued for some 3.5 million residents, according to public television NHK.

The storm led to the cancellation of nearly 550 flights and disrupted rail traffic, according to NHK.

Power cuts were reported in parts of Okinawa, as well as in Kagoshima, where some 30,000 homes were without power even before the storm arrived.

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