Japan mudslide islanders take shelter as new storm looms

Terra Daily via AFP: People on a storm-battered island in Japan took shelter Friday, as another typhoon -- one of two looming in the Pacific -- looked set to sideswipe the coast. "We have advised people in all areas of the island to prepare for evacuation," said an official in Oshima where rain-triggered mudslides left 31 people dead and 13 others missing last week.

Around 10 percent of the island's roughly 8,000-strong population are reported to have fled ahead of the coming storm for fear of further landslides.

"After the town office issued the advisory by public address system, police and firefighters have been calling door to door," said Kazuhiro Mochizuki of the Oshima town office. There were 12 places designated as public shelters, including schools and community centres, he said.

Typhoon Francisco, packing winds of up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) per hour, was located east of the main Okinawan island around noon (0300 GMT)Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The storm centre was expected to pass by Oshima, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Tokyo, in 24 hours....

Typhoon Francisco on October 23, 2013, via NASA