Airport closes in Okinawa as Typhoon Dolphin approaches southern Japan

Typhoon Dolphin, a slow-moving storm, drew near Japan's southern islands on Friday, compelling the closure of a principal airport on Okinawa and halting all flights in and out of the island. At its peak, the typhoon's winds reached 144 kph (89 mph) as of late morning on Friday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The storm's path carried it near Yoron Island, heading west towards Okinawa's main island.

Among the casualties, three men in their 70s sustained minor injuries: two were caught in the wind while the third fell from a stool, likely blown off course by the gusts, as reported by the Okinawa prefecture. Naha Airport, located on Okinawa Island, declared a closure on Friday, canceling all domestic and international flights.

By midday on Friday, 240 individuals had taken refuge at evacuation centers scattered across Okinawa. As Typhoon Dolphin was anticipated to impact a section of Japan's southern main island of Kyushu, residents affected by last week's calamitous earthquake were reinforcing their homes with blue tarps to protect against potential water damage.

Forecasts projected strong winds, torrential rain, and towering waves in the Okinawa region through Sunday, compelling the authorities to advise residents in the area to remain indoors. The typhoon was predicted to weaken over the weekend as it progressed towards China's eastern coast, where it was expected to make landfall on Monday morning.