Melora ("Jasmine") has halted air and rail transport. Millions Blocked. In the capital, roads flooded or blocked; neighbourhoods without electricity. Dozens of wounded.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Typhoon Melora has killed three people in Honshu, with winds of 139 kmh that uprooted trees and blocked planes and trains for hours.

One person was killed in Wakayama, near Nagoya, another near Tokyo and a third in Kobe, west of Nagoya. More than 21 thousand people were evacuated at the approach of the storm front prior to its making landfall on the major island of the archipelago, with winds of over 200 kph.

Nearly 400 domestic and international flights were suspended, as well as super fast trains. The normal train service was suspended until midday today, blocking millions at home. The Met Office still maintains the warning of strong winds and torrential rains to the north of the capital.

Waves up to 9 feet have hit the coast south of Tokyo and many city roads were flooded or blocked by uprooted trees and objects carried by the wind. According to local media, at least 40 people were injured. Many neighbourhoods in Tokyo and several surrounding towns remain without electricity.

Japan has a tried and tested defensive system to deal with flooding and avalanches, with wave barriers along the coast. But two years ago a typhoon similar to Melora, Tokage, killed 95 people.

Melora (which means "jasmine" in Malay language) is the 20th typhoon this year in the western Pacific the most recent among those to hit East and Southeast Asia in recent weeks.

 

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