Philippine Sea: Tropical Storm Bebinca tracking northwestward toward Amami Islands, Japan, as of early Sept. 14 /update 5

Tropical Storm Bebinca is tracking northwestward across the Philippine Sea toward the Amami Islands, Japan, early Sept. 13. As of 06:00 JST, the system's center of circulation was approximately 511 km (318 miles) east-southeast of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Prefecture.

Forecast models indicate that the weather system will strengthen as it continues northwestward and makes a close approach to Minamidaitojima, Japan, over the coming hours, passing just northeast of the island. Bebinca is likely to track northwestward and make another close approach to the Amami Islands late Sept. 14. Bebinca is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon as it tracks northwestward across the East China Sea toward southeastern China through Sept. 15 before weakening into a tropical storm and making landfall over Zhejiang Province early Sept. 16. After landfall, Bebinca is forecast to weaken rapidly into a tropical depression as it tracks west-northwestward across Anhui Province through early Sept. 17 before dissipating over far southern Henan Province early Sept. 18. 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 strong winds, landslides, flooding, and rough seas across the Amami region as well as strong winds and rough seas across the Okinawa region through Sept. 15. Rainfall of 15 cm (6 inches) are forecast over the Amami and southern Kyushu regions and 10 cm (4 inches) over the Okinawa region Sept. 14. Waves of up to 8 meters (26 feet) over the Amami region, 7 meters (23 feet) over southern Kyushu region, and 6 meters (20 feet) over the Okinawa regions are forecast Sept. 14. The JMA has issued red (middle level on a three-tier scale) storm and high wave warnings across the Amami region in Kagoshima Prefecture. Yellow thunderstorm, storm surge, gale, and high wave advisories are I place across the rest of southern Japan. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for the elderly and vulnerable in Wadomari and Setouchi towns and Yamato Village in the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture.

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 and render 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.