CNN
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Hundreds of thousands of people across Japan were ordered to evacuate and some homes lost power on Friday as Typhoon Hagibis approached the east coast of the capital region.
The storm, located 121 nautical miles southeast of the city of Yokosuka, was moving north at 18 kph (11 mph) and had strengthened to the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum winds of 212 kph (131 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
Ampil has been intensifying rapidly over the past two days as it has passed over very warm waters, increasing the amount of moisture in the air and strengthening the typhoon. It is expected to further strengthen over the next 12 hours and may reach its peak by the time it passes Japan.
Evacuation orders were issued for more than 178,000 households, totaling about 404,000 people, in the cities of Mobara and Asahi near Tokyo, near the east coast, and in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, which are expected to be hit by the storm by late Friday. Local authorities urged the elderly, people with disabilities and anyone living in risk areas to evacuate.
A similar notice was issued in the city of Yokohama, south of Tokyo, where authorities warned all residents to prepare to evacuate.
Rain and wind intensified along the coast by Friday afternoon, leaving more than 2,000 homes without power, Tokyo Electric Power Company said.
Trains and airlines will also suspend services on Friday, the peak of the summer travel season.
The two biggest airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, canceled a total of about 500 flights between the capital’s Haneda and Narita airports, according to NHK.
Rail services have also been disrupted: Six lines in Japan’s vast bullet train network have suspended services between certain stations and warned of significant delays on Friday, including the Tokaido Line, the main line between Tokyo and Osaka.
Meteorological authorities warned that parts of northern and eastern Japan could experience strong winds, rough seas, heavy rains, floods, landslides and rivers overflowing their banks, NHK reported. They urged the public to remain vigilant and prepared.
According to the JTWC and the Japan Meteorological Agency, the center of the typhoon is expected to remain slightly offshore as it turns northeast and away from Japan. If it remains offshore and only brushes the coast, it could have only minor impacts on Japan, bringing rain and wind to some areas, including Tokyo.
However, if the storm changes direction and moves closer to the coast or makes landfall, the impact could be much greater.
The storm is expected to weaken by Saturday morning local time before calming down as it moves into cooler waters over the weekend.
This story has been updated with additional information.
