The large and powerful Typhoon Bavi approached a remote chain of islands in Japan’s southwest on Friday, in what could be the region’s most destructive storm in years. Bavi is expected to pass very close to Japan’s Sakishima Islands on Saturday morning. Maximum sustained winds were topping out at 162 kmph.

Airlines grounded dozens of flights. Japan Airlines said it had cancelled more than 100 flights for Friday and Saturday, affecting nearly 20,000 passengers. All Nippon Airways cancelled more than 160 flights through Sunday, disrupting travel for roughly 20,000 people.