TOKYO, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Flights were cancelled and tens of thousands of people were advised to evacuate their homes on Tuesday as powerful typhoon Khanun approached Japan's southern Okinawa island chain, threatening torrential rains and high winds through Thursday.
In Okinawa's capital Naha, the airport was closed and all flights - amounting to about 900 - cancelled, TV Asahi said.
Wind and rain were picking up on Tuesday evening, with the storm expected to escalate by Wednesday.
Okinawa is frequently hit by typhoons, but usually later in the year.
Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Stephen Coates and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Elaine Lies, Stephen Coates, Miral
Organizations:
Asahi, NHK, Kadena Air Base, Thomson
Locations:
TOKYO, Japan's, Okinawa, Tokyo, Naha, China, U.S, Japan