Japan today cancelled more than 200 flights and many ferry services to its southern islands as the typhoon Kompasu churned in. According to local media, at least 216 flights were cancelled, affecting more than 15,000 passengers, while most local ferry services were suspended. Japan's meteorological agency said, the Typhoon packing gusts of up to 216 kilometers per hour near its centre, was approaching Okinawa and nearby subtropical islands in the country's far south. The agency issued a warning of heavy rains and strong gales, and warned residents to be on alert against possible landslides and floods. The agency said the typhoon was moving north-west at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour through the East China Sea and on its current course could hit the Korean peninsula about Thursday.