Super typhoon warning as Japan prepares for destructive and 'unprecedented' storm

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a special typhoon warning for two million people in Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, with residents being urged to evacuate

Video loading

Video not available

Click to playTap to play

Japan: The weather intensifies with the arrival of Typhoon Nanmadol

A massive typhoon is heading straight for Japan's southernmost island, with experts warning of massive destruction.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a special typhoon warning for two million people in Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyushu.

The south of the island could expect to see winds of up to 270 mph and 20 inches of rain, triggering the local warning.

Residents were told to evacuate before the typhoon landed, which was named Typhoon Nanmadol.

The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center officially declared Nanmadol a super typhoon earlier this week.

Satellite imagery shows Typhoon Nanmadol located near the remote southern islands of Japan (

Picture:

Japan Meteorological Agency/AFP)

It has the potential to become the most destructive tropical storm to hit Japan in decades, they warned.

"There are risks of unprecedented storms, high waves, storm surges and record rainfall," said Ryuta Kurora of the Japan Meteorological Agency's forecast unit.

>

"Extreme caution is required. This is a very dangerous typhoon. The wind will be so strong that some houses could collapse."

Kyushu Railways began halting some of its services on Saturday, while more widespread disruptions were expected on Sunday.