East China Sea: Tropical Storm Pulasan tracking northwestward across East China Sea away from Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, as of early Sept. 19 /update 3

Tropical Storm Pulasan is tracking northwestward across the East China Sea away from Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, early Sept. 19 following landfall over Okinawa Main Island late the previous day. As of 12:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 598 km (372 miles) southwest of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will weaken into a tropical depression and make landfall over far southern Jiangsu Province, China, early Sept. 20. After landfall, Pulasan is forecast to turn sharply to track northeastward and re-enter the East China Sea, strengthening into a tropical storm through late Sept. 20. The system will then track east-northeastward toward southern South Korea and make another landfall over South Jeolla Province, South Korea, the afternoon of Sept. 21. Pulasan is forecast to weaken rapidly as it tracks across far southern South Korea before entering the Sea of Japan late Sept. 21. The storm will likely weaken into a remnant low and dissipate as it tracks east-northeastward just north of Honshu, Japan, through early Sept. 22. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned of landslides, flooding, and high waves across the Okinawa region and high waves across the Amami and southern Kyushu regions Sept. 19. Rainfall totals of 12 cm (5 inches) in southern Kyushu and Amami regions and 10 cm (4 inches) in the Okinawa region are forecast Sept. 19. High waves of up to 7 meters (23 feet) are forecast in Amami and 6 meters (20 feet) in Okinawa and southern Kyushu Sept. 19.

The China Meteorological Administration has issued a yellow typhoon warning (the second lowest level on a four-tier scale); heavy rain is forecast in parts of southeastern Anhui, southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, most of Zhejiang, northwestern Fujian, and central Jiangxi, with rainfall totals of 10-14 cm (3.9-5.5 inches) possible in southern Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang. Strong winds are forecast in coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian, Shanghai, and southeastern Jiangsu Sept. 19 and rough seas are likely over offshore waters of southeastern China. Yellow rainstorm and orange and yellow waterlogging warnings are also in place.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.