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KING KONG-REY

Super Typhoon Kong-rey — where’s the storm now, will it hit Japan and how can you track it?

HOT on the heels of deadly Typhoon Trami, Japan will face another dangerous super typhoon this week.

Super Typhoon Kong-rey, currently a Category 5 major hurricane, was starred up to a Super Typhoon on Tuesday.

 Typhoon Kong-rey could become a super typhoon
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Typhoon Kong-rey could become a super typhoon

Where is Typhoon Kong-rey now?

A northwest track in the coming days will take this dangerous tropical cyclone toward the Ryukyu Islands, which are still reeling from damaging winds in excess of 160 km/h (100 mph) from Trami on September 30.

The Ryukyu Islands are an archipelago of islands nestled between southern Japan and Taiwan.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards said: "Typhoon Kong-rey will travel across the Philippine Sea over the coming days and gradually strengthen.

“Scenarios for Kong-rey’s expected track around the start of next weekend range from the typhoon targeting Taiwan and/or eastern China or curving northeastward to mainland Japan or the Korean Peninsula.”

 Typhoon Trami buffeted Japan and caused severe floods on Sunday, killing two people
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Typhoon Trami buffeted Japan and caused severe floods on Sunday, killing two peopleCredit: Getty - Contributor

Will the typhoon hit Japan?

After threatening the Ryukyu Islands, scenarios for Kong-rey’s expected track around the start of next weekend (October 6-7) range from the typhoon targeting northern Taiwan and/or eastern China to curving north-eastward to mainland Japan or the Korean Peninsula.

A blow by Kong-rey less than a week later would further heighten the risk of damage and flooding to structures left weakened by Trami.

Cities Miyako and Okinawa are expected to face the worst of Kong-rey's impacts which will include damaging winds and torrential rainfall. Wind gusts over 160 km/h (100 mph) will again be possible during the worst of the storm.

Yaeyama will endure locally damaging winds and downpours but will be spared from the strongest winds.

Amami, Tokara and Osumi can are expecting gusty winds and downpours; however, these will be much less severe than what the islands experienced from Trami.

Having already torn through Okinawa, Trami left two dead and injured up to 120 more.

It is currently Pacific hurricane and typhoon season, when high-powered weather systems are frequently inbound for territories in the Pacific Ocean.

 The typhoon is predicted to rip through the Ryukyu Islands and make its way to the south western coast of Japan
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The typhoon is predicted to rip through the Ryukyu Islands and make its way to the south western coast of Japan

How can you track it?

Images of the typhoon and trajectory maps can be viewed at

Routine updates can also be found on the and websites.

The Met Office is also tracking the typhoon : "Tropical cyclones #Kongrey and #Walaka are both category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

"This is the first time there have been two category 5 cyclones active simultaneously since 2005."

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