Japan has issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents and canceled numerous flights as a “very strong” typhoon approaches the country’s east coast. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Typhoon Ampil was located 170 kilometers south of the city of Choshi in Chiba Prefecture as of Friday at 4:00 PM local time (07:00 GMT). The typhoon, currently moving over the Pacific Ocean, is expected to come closer to the Tokyo metropolitan area later in the day. The JMA warns of “powerful winds” that may cause damage from flying debris, or even overturn moving trucks. Wind speeds are measured at 45 meters per second, with maximum gusts reaching up to 60 meters per second (216 km/h).

In preparation for the typhoon’s arrival, several municipalities in the Kanto region and other areas have urged residents to evacuate. The city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture has issued an evacuation order for approximately 323,000 inhabitants, while the city of Mobara in Chiba has ordered around 18,500 residents to leave their homes. Additionally, many other cities have opened special evacuation centers and advised voluntary evacuations.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 2,500 households in the Kanto region were still without power, according to Tokyo Electric Power Company. Meanwhile, numerous flights, both departing and arriving, have been canceled at Tokyo’s two airports, Haneda and Narita, as well as at Kansai International Airport in Osaka and Chubu Centrair International Airport.

ANA Holdings, which owns Air Japan, announced the cancellation of 281 domestic flights and 54 international flights scheduled for Friday, affecting nearly 70,000 travelers. At Haneda Airport, Japan’s largest domestic airport, 32 incoming and outgoing flights will be canceled on Saturday, disrupting travel plans for approximately 2,300 passengers.

Shinkansen high-speed trains, which operate between Tokyo and Nagoya, have also been suspended for the entire day, according to Central Japan Railway. High-speed trains serving northeastern Japan, as well as some local trains in Tokyo, have been temporarily suspended or altered to a slower schedule. Authorities have warned the public to stay away from rivers and beaches and to be cautious of winds strong enough to propel objects into the air.