Powerful typhoon hits Tokyo, surrounding areas

TOKYO - Tokyo and surrounding areas in Japan have been braced for a powerful typhoon as the worst in six decades.

Typhoon Hagibis is packing winds of 180 kilometres per hour near its center and gusts of up to 252 kilometres per hour.

The typhoon has caused major disruptions to the power and transportation system in parts of Japan as Shinkansen bullet train services between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka have been suspended.

Rugby World Cup matches, concerts and other events have been cancelled whereas flights were grounded and train services halted, the Radio Pakistan reported.

The storm is already battering Chiba Prefecture where violent gusts have torn roofs of homes and left some residents with injuries.