Typhoon Dianmu approaches the coast of northern Japan

Typhoon Dianmu approached the coast of northern Japan on 12 August 2010 after the storm picked up strength while moving through the Sea of Japan. According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the center of the typhoon was located about 285 mi/526 km southwest of Misawa, moving west at approximately 18 mph/16 kt at 0300 UTC on 12 August. Reports indicate that at least five people were killed when Dianmu passed through South Korea as a tropical storm on 11 August. Officials in Japan have mobilized emergency management crews to prepare for the high winds and torrential rains Dianmu is expected to bring to northern Japan’s Hokkaido, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata and Aomori prefectures.