Heavy rain forecast as Typhoon Saudel girds towards Japan and Taiwan

Southern Japan and northern Taiwan are bracing for the impact of Typhoon Saudel, a medium-strength storm set to bring heavy rain and strong winds. Taiwan's weather administration reported one death and four people missing due to a separate weather system that caused flooding in the cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung, areas home to over four million residents.

The typhoon, moving slowly at 20kph (12mph) with maximum sustained winds of 162kph and gusts up to 216kph, is expected to make landfall near Taiwan's southwestern Okinawa islands. Japan's weather agency warned of destructive gusts and warned residents to remain alert for potential landslides, flooding, and rising rivers from the impending heavy rainfall.

Saudel is forecast to pass to the north of Taiwan, dumping water on the island starting late Thursday and into Friday. In the meantime, the eastern Chinese province of Fujian will also feel the brunt of the typhoon, with the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre issuing an orange alert, the second-highest warning level, for high waves of seven to 12m (23-40 feet).