Typhoon No. 9 is forecast to pass close to Okinawa's Sakishima Islands, including Ishigaki Island, during the weekend of July 10 and 11 [1, 2].
The storm's intensity and size pose a significant risk to infrastructure and human life, with officials warning that some residential buildings could collapse under the pressure of the wind.
Moving west from the east of the Philippines, the typhoon has maintained its strength [1, 3]. The storm is described as large and very strong, with a diameter of approximately 2,000 km [3].
Meteorologists expect maximum instantaneous wind speeds to reach 70 m/s [1]. Additionally, the region could see 200 mm of rainfall within a 24-hour period [2]. These conditions are expected to bring violent winds, heavy rain, and high waves to the islands.
Local authorities and weather agencies have urged residents to take immediate precautions starting July 9 [1]. The most dangerous period is expected to occur between Friday and Saturday.
"From the 10th to the 11th, (the wind) is particularly dangerous," Yoshikazu Yano of the Japan Meteorological Agency's Forecast Division said. "It is thought that it will be quite dangerous to go outside during that time. Please protect yourself in a safe place," Yano said.
Emergency services are on alert as the storm's trajectory brings it directly toward the remote island chain. Residents are being advised to secure loose outdoor objects, and evacuate to reinforced shelters if necessary to avoid the risk of structural failure.
“Maximum instantaneous wind speeds are expected to reach 70 m/s.”
The scale of Typhoon No. 9, combined with its maintained intensity, indicates a high-impact weather event for the Sakishima Islands. With wind speeds of 70 m/s and a massive 2,000 km diameter, the storm is capable of causing widespread structural damage and long-term utility outages, necessitating strict adherence to evacuation orders to prevent casualties.
