Typhoon Halong brings rain and winds

A very strong typhoon, Halong, is pounding the southern part of Japan’s Izu Islands in the Pacific with heavy rain and strong winds as it moves eastward.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a heavy rain emergency warning for Hachijo Town on one of the islands and is urging people to remain on the highest alert. On Thursday, the southern part of the island chain was in the typhoon’s storm zone, and the islands have had torrential rain since the early morning.

Agency officials are urging people in Hachijo Town to do whatever they can to stay safe, as it is highly likely that mudslides and other disasters may have already occurred.