Strong typhoon makes for southern Japan

A powerful typhoon packing winds of up to 216 kilometres per hour was headed for southern Japan and expected to hit tomorrow afternoon, weather forecasters said.

Typhoon Bolaven was expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to islands in Okinawa prefecture and cause waves of up to 12 metres, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Bolaven was located 170 kilometres south of Okinawa's Minami Daito Island at 0600 GMT (1130 IST) today and moving northwest at a speed of 15 kilometres per hour, the agency said.