20 minutes – The "Hagibis" monster goes straight to Japan

Currently classified as a violent typhoon, at the top of the scale of cyclonic intensity in Japan, Hagibis It was headed for the southeastern part of the country and could merge into the Tokyo area on Saturday, Japanese meteorologists warned on Wednesday. If its strength does not weaken by then, it could disrupt or even prevent the holding of several matches of the Rugby World Cup currently being held in Japan, including France – England Saturday Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Rugby and Formula 1

Japan must face Scotland at the same stage on Sunday 19:45 local time. According to the forecasts, the typhoon will then have taken the direction of the sea but it could always generate bad weather and problems in the transports.

The organizers of the World Cup have provided different solutions, from the postponement of the kickoff later on the same day, to the change of location and until the cancellation of a meeting in the group stage which would be a first in this proof. In this case, each team would be awarded two points (draw 0-0), which could rate its qualification Scotland, currently behind Japan and Ireland in Pool A.

Another event draining tens of thousands of spectators: the Grand Prix Formula 1 Suzuka (central Japan) could also be threatened, while it is supposed to be held Sunday, after two days of trials and qualifying sessions.

Winds and heavy rain expected

According to a senior official of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the current power of Hagibis is similar to four of the largest typhoons in Japan in recent decades, including Faxai last month, which caused significant damage Chiba, in the suburbs of Tokyo.

For Saturday, we expect winds of a speed of 45 meters per second, or 162km / h, said the official at a press point. The typhoon will cause heavy rains in a large part of the country. Strong winds will blow first, followed by torrential rains, he added. On the coast, waves are also expected.

We ask residents to voluntarily vacate and to ensure the evacuation instructions issued by the local authorities, insisted the head of the Japanese Agency.

Wednesday early evening (Japanese time), Hagibis was flying in the Pacific about 1000 km south of Tokyo, gusting winds up to 270 km / h, according to the JMA.

(Nxp / afp)