A powerful typhoon with potentially record winds and rain battered Tokyo region early Monday, sparking evacuation warnings to tens of thousands, widespre blackouts and transport disruption. Typhoon Faxai, packing winds of up to 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, me landfall in Chiba just east of capital before dawn, after barrelling through Tokyo Bay. About 5,000 people in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures were ordered to evacuate, public brocaster NHK reported on its Twitter feed. Authorities issued n-compulsory evacuation warnings to more than 3,90,000 people, as forecasters cautioned rain and wind could reach "record" proportions.

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Typhoon Faxai hits Tokyo

Nearly 2,90,000 households lost power in region, while at least 10 houses were damd in Shizuoka with windows shattered and cars flipped onto ir sides, according to local media. "Please be on full alert against gusts and high waves and be vigilant about landslides, floods and swollen rivers," Japan Metereological ncy said in a statement. Television foot showed a huge roof collapsing at a gasoline station in Tateyama, south of Tokyo, with pumps crushed underneath. Faxai was likely to cause havoc with Monday morning commute in Tokyo, as train operators were forced to suspend major lines until at least 8:00 am.

"We need to inspect tracks and check if re is any dam as typhoon is expected to pass through region overnight," a train company spokesman told AFP.

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Rail and plane services hit

East Japan Railway said its bullet trains on five lines were running, but at reduced speed, while Central Japan Railway suspended Tokaido bullet train linking Tokyo and Odawara city because of strong winds, NHK reported. typhoon alrey caused some travel disruption on its approach. About 100 bullet trains connecting Tokyo with central and western Japanese cities were scrapped on Sunday, along with ferry services in Tokyo bay. Airlines cancelled more than 100 flights scheduled on Monday while some coastal highways were closed west of capital in Kanagawa due to storm, according to local media. re were immediate reports of serious injuries or significant dam but eight surfers were rescued amid high waves off Shizuoka in central Japan after y were swept out to sea, local officials said.

"Two helicopters were dispatched while special rescuers rushed out to sea," a fire department spokesman told AFP. "We sent two of m to hospital but one was in danger of dying," he ded. Some department stores and amusement parks, including Tokyo Disneyland, closed earlier than scheduled due to approaching storm.

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Typhoon Faxai's trajectory

Faxai, travelling rth at a speed of 25 kilometres per hour, was expected to hit rastern Japan before fizzling out back to Pacific. Japan is well used to severe tropical storms and typhoons during late summer and autumn. Strong typhoon Krosa lashed western Japan in mid-August, bringing strong winds and torrential rain that claimed one life. And in late August, heavy rains left three people de when massive floods also hit western Japan.

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Rugby World Cup

Typhoon Faxai comes just as teams begin arriving for Rugby World Cup, which kicks off on September 20. French team mand to sneak in just ahe of typhoon and reach ir training camp near Mount Fuji. However, Australian Wallabies squ found ir preparations disrupted as typhoon delayed ir scheduled arrival. Tournament rules say that if a pool match has to be scrapped due to extreme wear, it is classed as a draw, which could have a major impact on what is set to be a very close competition.