Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Japan’s southwestern island chain is on high alert as Typhoon Bavi nears the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, bringing warnings of violent winds, heavy rain, landslides and flooding. Authorities say the storm could make its closest approach early Saturday, with airlines already canceling dozens of flights in the region.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has urged residents to prepare early and stay alert as the typhoon remains severe while moving toward the islands. Forecasts said Bavi was packing maximum sustained winds of 162 km/h and could bring rough seas across Okinawa and the Amami region, with possible impacts also reaching southern Kyushu. Local businesses and residents in Ishigaki have been securing properties and stocking up on supplies as conditions worsen.

Flight disruption has become one of the first visible impacts, with Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceling dozens of routes to and from Okinawa and nearby islands. Officials warned that strong winds and high waves could persist into the weekend depending on the storm’s exact track. The storm is being closely monitored because even a slight shift could change which islands take the hardest hit.

Typhoon Bavi has put Japan’s far southwestern islands on serious alert, with evacuation-style precautions and travel disruptions already underway. As the system nears Okinawa, officials are focusing on reducing damage and keeping residents out of harm’s way.