Bavi is expected to make its closest approach to Okinawa prefecture's Sakishima Islands in southwestern Japan around Saturday, potentially unleashing violent winds and torrential rain along with thunderstorms, the country's weather agency said on Friday.

Residents have been urged to take extra caution against powerful winds, high waves, storm surges and landslides.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, as of 6am local time on Friday, the season's ninth typhoon was located over waters south of Okinawa and moving north-northwest at 20 kilometres per hour.

Winds have already intensified across the prefecture, with a maximum instantaneous speed of 21.4 metres per second recorded in Naha City in the three hours through 6am.

Bavi is forecast to approach the Sakishima Islands through Saturday while retaining very strong intensity. Winds powerful enough to potentially topple houses are expected to batter the islands, with gusts forecast to reach 180 kph on Friday and 216 kph on Saturday.

Seas around Okinawa and the Amami region of Kagoshima prefecture are expected to turn very rough, with coastal areas at risk of inundation from storm surges and high waves.

Residents have been advised to take shelter in sturdy buildings or other safe places before rain and winds intensify.

Airlines have cancelled dozens of flights in the region, including for Saturday.

In Ishigaki, one of the islands in the Sakishima chain popular with tourists, residents stocked up on supplies, emptying shelves of instant noodles at a supermarket. Some public beaches and coastal parks and the local ferry terminal appeared closed.

The Japanese alerts came after Zhejiang and Fujian raised the typhoon emergency response to Level III as Bavi moves closer to the country.

The typhoon is approaching the northeastern coast of Taiwan and is expected to make landfall along the coast between Fuqing in Fujian and Wenling in Zhejiang on Saturday night.

It is forecast to bring heavy rains and strong gales to Zhejiang.

Authorities in Fujian have called on fishing boats and fishermen to return to ports.

Local authorities have also been ordered to patrol reservoirs, mountain ponds, areas prone to geological disasters and low-lying flood-prone spots. (Xinhua & Reuters)


Edited by Aaron Tam