Heavy rain forecast as Typhoon Saudel girds towards Japan

Medium-strength Typhoon Saudel moved towards southern Japan and northern Taiwan on Tuesday where it is expected to bring heavy rain, as Taiwan reported one dead and four missing from a separate weather system over its south and east.



Japan's weather agency warned of destructive gusts as Typhoon Saudel approached the southwestern islands of Okinawa prefecture, also causing extremely strong winds and high seas.



The typhoon was moving slowly at 20 kilometres per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 216 kilometres per hour.



The agency urged residents in affected areas to remain on high alert for landslides, flooding and rising rivers from heavy rainfall.



Saudel is expected to pass to the north of Taiwan and dump water on its north starting late Thursday and into Friday.



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