JAPANESE authorities today issued an evacuation order for 138,700 residents in southern prefectures due to Typhoon Mawar, which is approaching the southeastern coast of the archipelago, reported Sputnik.

The highest alert, warning level five, which urges people to take immediate action to ensure their safety, was introduced in Wakayama prefecture for over 12,000 residents, reported Japanese broadcaster NHK.

The authorities are calling on residents to take shelter above the second floor and to occupy the safest places possible without going outside.

Warning level four, urging people to evacuate to shelters, has been declared in 13 prefectures. Earlier in the day, this threat level was introduced for 80,500 residents of Ehime and Aichi prefectures over the danger of heavy rain caused by the typhoon.

Currently, the typhoon is some 50km east-southeast off the coast of Okinawa, but its impact is being felt around the eastern coastline of Japan.

Due to its slow advance north, heavy rains have become protracted and are hovering over the same locations.

Before tomorrow morning, 350mm of rain is expected in Shikoku island, 300mm in the Kansai region, and 250mm in the Kanto region, where capital Tokyo is located. – Bernama, June 2, 2023.