In Pictures

Tornadoes rip through Japan

Severe weather slammed into the suburbs of Tokyo on Monday injuring over 60 people.

Twister terror — A series of tornadoes ripped through eastern Japan on Monday.

A series of tornadoes has wreaked havoc in eastern Japan, destroying homes and injuring 63 people.

The severe weather was generated by a weather front which has remained over Japan over the last few days. This is the same system that absorbed the strength of Tropical Storm Kong-Rey, as it hurtled across the island of Honsu a few days ago.

Since then torrential rain has fallen across many parts of the country, and more destructive weather is expected in Japan in the next 24-48 hours.

Tropical Storm Toraji is expected to make landfall in southwest Japan around 12 GMT on Wednesday (9pm local time).

It happened in the blink of an eye — According to the local police, 63 people have been injured, at least one of them seriously.

House of cards — Six homes were demolished in the Saitama suburb of Tokyo, with another 83 badly damaged.

Take cover — The tornado tossed cars are vans through the air.

Patching up before the rain — Roofs were ripped from houses and windows were shattered.

Falling like matchsticks — Tens of thousands of people were without power, as the winds toppled trees and powerlines.

Wondering where to start — The tornadoes developed within a weather front which has remained over Japan for a few days.

In need of repair — The same weather system has also delivered torrentially heavy rain, prompting the Japan Meteorlogical Agency to issue warnings that these may cause (***)ground-loosing(***) and trigger landslides.

More severe weather still to come — Now Tropical Storm Toraji is bearing down on the country, meaning things could get worse before they get better.