Severe tropical storm Khanun is once again approaching southwestern Japan. Okinawa Prefecture's main island region and Kagoshima Prefecture's Amami region are in its path. Bands of active rain clouds have developed in Okinawa. Weather officials are urging caution, as chances are high that life-threatening landslides and floods will occur.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says Khanun was moving slowly east over waters near Kagoshima Prefecture's Tokunoshima Island at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

The agency says the storm is packing winds of up to 108 kilometers per hour near its center. It adds peak gusts have reached 144 kilometers per hour.

On Sunday, the storm is expected to bring winds of up to 108 kilometers per hour to Okinawa and Amami, and 83 kilometers per hour to southern Kyushu.

Okinawa's main island region has been hit by record rainfall. More than 700 millimeters of rain have fallen on Kumejima Island since Monday.

In the 24-hour period through late Sunday night, up to 300 millimeters of rain are expected to fall in southern Kyushu and Amami. Okinawa is expected to receive 250 millimeters, and the Shikoku region is expected to receive 180 millimeters.

The waters off Okinawa and Amami will be extremely rough through Monday. High waves and storm surges could cause flooding in the Amami region.

Even light rains or winds could heighten the risk of disaster in Okinawa and Amami, as both were hit hard by the early approach.

Weather officials say the storm will likely come close to Okinawa and Amami early on Sunday morning and then head north. They predict it will come close to western Japan on Tuesday or later.

People are advised to stay vigilant and watch out for strong gusts, high waves, storm surges, landslides, floods in low-lying areas and swollen rivers.