Hundreds of thousands of people in southwestern Japan were ordered to evacuate and more ​than 500 flights cancelled on Friday as slow-moving ‌Typhoon Dolphin approached the region to bring violent winds, heavy rain and high waves. The Category 1 typhoon had maximum ​sustained winds of 144 kph (89.5 mph) with ​gusts reaching 198 kph and was nearing a ⁠chain of islands between the Kyushu region and ​Okinawa prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. Authorities issued ​evacuation orders for nearly 260,000 residents in Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures, while Toyotasuspended work at nine factories on Friday. Dolphin ​was expected to maintain its strength as it ​approached Okinawa prefecture, raising the risk of winds that could damage ‌or ⁠collapse some structures, authorities warned. A linear rain band — or a narrow band of intense precipitation and thunderstorms — could also develop, possibly triggering flooding, the ​weather agency ​said.

Full report : Japan orders evacuations as Typhoon Dolphin approaches, cancels 500 flights.