TOKYO: A powerful storm slammed into Japan yesterday, churning across western areas already hard hit by floods and landslides earlier this month and injuring some 20 people, reports AFP.

Typhoon Jongdari, with winds of up to 180 kilometres (110 miles) an hour, made landfall at Ise in Mie prefecture at around 1 am (1600 GMT Saturday), according to the meteorological agency. More than 170 domestic flights were cancelled for Sunday and train services disrupted. A total of 21 people have been injured in the past days as the storm brought violent winds and torrential rains, the government said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that the storm could continue to bring heavy rain even after the epicentre had passed by.

“Get hold of information on damage, cooperate closely with municipal offices and make utmost efforts to help evacuate local residents,” he central government officials on Sunday.