Big storm swept across Japan, 17 people died

At least 17 people died and dozens were missing when Typhoon Wipha hit Japan yesterday.

>>>The most powerful storm in a decade approached Tokyo

According to NHK, the rescue team found 16 bodies on Izu Oshima island, 120 kilometers south of Tokyo. Another woman was found dead in western Tokyo. Most of those killed were buried in landslides, according to the AP. Over 40 people are missing and dozens of houses are destroyed on the island of Izu Oshima.

Wipha's direction.(Graphic: Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

The storm, which had a wind speed of 125km / h, brought heavy rain when it landed on the east coast of Japan and the Tokyo capital in rush hour, causing hundreds of flights to be canceled, thousands of schools closed door. However, there are no reports of significant material damage around the Tokyo area.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which manages the Fukushima nuclear power plant, canceled all offshore operations and ensured safety for the plant as the storm approached. After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami damaged this plant, TEPCO is still dealing with radioactive leaks in the world's worst nuclear crisis since the Chernobyl incident in 1986.

TEPCO spokesman said the storm did not cause any new problems at the factory. This facility is located 220km north of Tokyo to the north.

Wipha was then downgraded to a tropical depression when it reached the northeastern coast of Japan and moved northeast at 95km / h, according to the Japanese meteorological agency. This is the strongest storm sweeping the area since October 2004.