Heavy rain forecast as Typhoon Saudel girds towards Japan and Taiwan

Typhoon Saudel, a medium-strength storm, is set to make landfall in southern Japan and northern Taiwan, bringing with it the potential for heavy rain and severe weather conditions. Taiwan has already reported one death and four missing individuals due to a separate weather system that caused flooding in Tainan and Kaohsiung cities, areas home to over four million people.

Japan's meteorological agency has issued warnings of destructive gusts as the typhoon nears the southwestern Okinawa islands. Saudel is moving slowly at 20 kph (12 mph), with maximum sustained winds of 162 kph and gusts up to 216 kph. Authorities in affected regions are urging residents to remain vigilant for the risks of landslides, flooding, and rising rivers from the anticipated heavy rainfall.

Saudel is projected to pass to the north of Taiwan, dumping water on the northern region beginning late Thursday and continuing into Friday. The Central Weather Administration in Taiwan anticipates rainfall amounts that could surpass those seen during the devastating Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which resulted in over 700 deaths and damages exceeding $3 billion.

Furthermore, Saudel is expected to reach the coast of Fujian province in eastern China between late Thursday and early Friday. China's National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre has issued an orange alert, the second-highest level of warning, due to the potential for high waves, with predictions of seven to 12-meter (23-40 foot) waves in the eastern section of the East China Sea.