Typhoon Fitow hits central Japan

Train services and flights in the Tokyo region were cancelled and more than 80,000 houses left without power.

One man died after being hit by a falling tree and rescuers were searching a river for homeless people thought to have been washed away.

About 50 people were injured by the typhoon, Japanese media said.

Typhoon Fitow hit the capital region before dawn, bringing heavy downpours and winds of up to 108 kmph (67mph).

A flood warning was briefly issued for the Tama river to the west of Tokyo.

A number of homeless people who slept in shacks on its banks were swept away by the rising waters.

Rescuers plucked several people from the river using helicopters and boats, but officials said that at least two people were still missing.

Another man was reported missing in the Tokyo suburb of Kawasaki, after going to look at a swollen river.

Many morning commuter train services in and out of the capital were suspended, while almost 200 flights were cancelled.

Fitow is expected to move northwards over the country, bringing further heavy rain.

But it has lost power and has now been downgraded to a tropical storm.