At least two people have been killed and four others remain missing in areas around Tokyo after Typhoon Dujuan brought heavy rain, flooding and landslides to Japan, local media reported.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said four people were still missing in the greater Tokyo area.

Authorities advised around 1.6 million people to evacuate as the powerful storm disrupted transportation across the country.

Dujuan made landfall on Monday about 130 kilometres south of Katsuura, near Tokyo, with maximum winds of 144 kilometres per hour (89 mph). Thousands of homes were left without electricity as the storm battered the region.

Heavy rain triggered landslides and flooding in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, neighbouring Tokyo.

In Chiba, a man was buried under a landslide along with his excavator. He was rescued and taken to hospital, where he later died.

In Kanagawa, a house was buried by a mudslide, killing a woman.

Numerous homes were damaged in both prefectures, while Ibaraki also reported damage. Roads were flooded and local train and air services were temporarily disrupted.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said early Tuesday that the storm was moving northeastward away from the coast and out over the sea, with its strength gradually weakening.

JMA meteorologist Takuya Hosomi warned that heavy rain could continue in areas under alerts, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.

Japan Airlines cancelled 135 flights and All Nippon Airways cancelled 140 flights on Monday, leaving many passengers stranded at airports. Some rail services were also suspended, including bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka.

The JMA warned that rainfall could reach new records, with total precipitation through Tuesday potentially exceeding the average rainfall for September.

Dujuan is the 25th typhoon to affect Japan this year. Powerful typhoons frequently hit the country in late summer and early autumn.

Source: Reuters