At least 13 killed as Typhoon Wipha hits JapanOctober 16, 2013 - 09:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 13 people have been killed after a powerful typhoon passed close to the Japanese capital, according to BBC News. Typhoon Wipha caused landslides and flooding on Izu Oshima island, south of Tokyo, with several houses destroyed. Many people died when their homes collapsed or were buried in mudslides on the island. Two were found dead near a river. In Tokyo, flights were cancelled, bullet train services suspended and schools closed. "It is the strongest typhoon in 10 years to pass the Kanto [Tokyo area] region," Hiroyuki Uchida, the Japan Meteorological Agency's chief forecaster, told journalists on Tuesday, Oct 15. The storm brought strong winds and record rainfall - 122mm (4.8 inches) in one hour on Wednesday morning - to Izu Oshima island, which lies some 120km (75 miles) south of Tokyo. Rescuers were struggling to access many areas. Around 400 domestic and international flights were also cancelled in the capital, Kyodo news agency said. Nearly 20,000 people were ordered to evacuate and thousands of schools shut as a result of the typhoon, which was expected to move north-east and weaken over the course of the day. It was expected to pass close to the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, where contaminated water used to cool reactor cores is being stored in temporary tanks. The plant operator said it was pumping out rainwater from its storage tanks. "We are making preparations for proper management of contaminated water. We will patrol places that could have inflows of water [from the storm]," a spokesman for plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company said. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |