Typhoon causes blackouts in Japan's Kagoshima

OSAKA, Japan - Local residents in southern Japan suffered heavy rain with strong winds caused blackouts after Typhoon Bolaven, the 15th of the season, passed near the area late Sunday, local news agency reported.

The powerful storm passed over the main island of Okinawa late Sunday and also caused damages in the southern Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima Prefecture, cutting off power to nearly 60,000 households in a total of 12 cities, towns and villages on the islands of Amami in the prefecture on Monday morning according to the country's public broadcaster Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK).

The local power utility, Kyushu Electric Power Co is now investigating details of the damages for earlier recovery but the strong winds still hamper its recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, more than 5,500 people on the islands of Amami have been advised by local governments to evacuate since the morning hours due to threats of landslides or mudflows caused by the typhoon, the news agency said.

The storm has also caused disruption to public transportation in and out of the islands since the morning hours. All morning flights were canceled at local airports in the area and ferry services are canceled for the day also.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the typhoon was expected to move northwest into the East China Sea on Monday.