Severe tropical storm Tapah, which battered Okinawa and some parts of southwestern Japan, has turned to a low pressure system. It is still bringing strong winds and heavy rain to wide areas of Japan.

The Meteorological Agency says Tapah became a depression over the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture at 9 a.m. on Monday.

The agency says the depression is expected to move northeast over the Sea of Japan. It is likely to approach northern Japan between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.

Weather officials are warning of strong winds, high waves, mudslides, flooding and swollen rivers, as well as lightning strikes and sudden wind gusts across wide areas.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency says 30 people have been injured in the prefectures of Okinawa, Saga, Nagasaki and Miyazaki.

The storm caused the cancelation of about 54 domestic flights on Monday.

nhk