Flights canceled as typhoon hits Okinawa on way to Korea
Residents go on their daily business amidst flooding which was spawned by typhoon "Karen" Saturday Sept.15, 2012 at San Juan city, East of Manila, Philippines. The rains flooded low-lying areas of metropolitan Manila forcing the cancellation of classes and the evacuation of hundreds of residents in affected areas. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, fishing boats are anchored in Shitang Port in Wenling City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Typhoon Sanba approaches waters of the eastern part of the East China Sea on Saturday. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Jia Ce) NO SALES
Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. canceled flights and households were left without power as Typhoon Sanba struck Okinawa in southern Japan.
Japan Airlines canceled 36 flights, affecting 8,620 people, according to a faxed statement from the company. All Nippon Airways canceled, delayed or diverted Okinawa and Nagasaki, Kyushu, flights, it said on its website.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency said Typhoon Sanba crossed over the Okinawan islands on Sunday and was headed toward the Korean Peninsula after dumping heavy rains and whipping Okinawa with powerful winds.
It described the typhoon as large and very strong, with gusts of up to 155 miles per hour. The agency warned residents to stay indoors.
More than 60,000 homes were without power, according to media reports. NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, showed scenes of flooded houses and roads in Okinawa’s main city, but there were no immediate reports of deaths or significant injuries.
Parts of Kyushu are expected to receive as much as 14 inches of rain, according to NHK.
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The typhoon also caused flooding in parts of Manila in the Philippines on Saturday.
