A POWERFUL typhoon with potentially record winds and rain battered the Tokyo region early today, sparking evacuation warnings to tens of thousands, widespread blackouts and transport disruption.

Typhoon Faxai, packing winds of up to 216kph, made landfall in Chiba just east of the capital before dawn, after barrelling through Tokyo Bay.  

About 5,000 people in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures were ordered to evacuate, public broadcaster NHK reported on its Twitter feed.

Authorities issued non-compulsory evacuation warnings to more than 390,000 people, as forecasters cautioned the rain and wind could reach “record” proportions.

Nearly 290,000 households lost power in the region, while at least 10 houses were damaged in Shizuoka with windows shattered and cars flipped onto their sides, according to local media.

“Please be on full alert against gusts and high waves and be vigilant about landslides, floods and swollen rivers,” the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement.

Television footage showed a huge roof collapsing at a petrol station in Tateyama, south of Tokyo, with pumps crushed underneath.

Faxai is likely to cause havoc with the Monday morning commute in Tokyo, as train operators were forced to suspend major lines until at least 8am.

“We need to inspect tracks and check if there is any damage as the typhoon is expected to pass through the region overnight,” a train company spokesman told AFP.

East Japan Railway said its bullet trains on five lines were running, but at reduced speed, while Central Japan Railway suspended the Tokaido bullet train linking Tokyo and Odawara city because of strong winds, NHK reported.

The typhoon already caused some travel disruption on its approach. About 100 bullet trains connecting Tokyo with central and western Japanese cities were scrapped yesterday, along with ferry services in Tokyo bay.

Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights scheduled today while some coastal highways were closed west of the capital in Kanagawa due to the storm, according to local media.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or significant damage but eight surfers were rescued amid high waves off Shizuoka in central Japan after they were swept out to sea, local officials said. – AFP, September 9, 2019.