Typhoon Ampil Grounds Flights, Forces Evacuations in Japan

Japan faced severe disruptions as Typhoon Ampil, classified as 'very strong,' grounded flights and forced thousands to evacuate. The typhoon caused power outages, disrupted rail services, and resulted in the closure of major attractions and businesses. The capital Tokyo and surrounding regions were particularly affected, with strong winds and heavy rains expected.

Japan was brought to a standstill on Friday as Typhoon Ampil, categorized as 'very strong,' caused widespread disruptions across the eastern parts of the country. The Japan Meteorological Agency had placed the typhoon off the Pacific coast at 3 p.m. (0600 GMT), warning of severe weather conditions.

Residents in Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, among others, received evacuation orders amid warnings of heavy rain and fierce winds capable of overturning trucks and causing injuries from flying debris. Roughly 323,000 people were told to evacuate in Iwaki, with additional evacuations advised in Chiba Prefecture and other areas.

Power outages continued to impact over 2,500 households in the Kanto region. Air travel was massively disrupted, with ANA Holdings and Japan Airlines canceling hundreds of domestic and international flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. High-speed bullet trains were also halted, while major attractions like Tokyo Disneyland closed early due to the storm.

(With inputs from agencies.)