Residents of central and western Japan are bracing for Typhoon Roke, which is expected to make landfall in the region Wednesday.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency says Roke is carrying maximum wind speeds of 144 kilometers per hour.

Authorities have urged about 400,000 residents in the central city of Nagoya to evacuate their homes, fearing nearby rivers may burst their banks and flood the area.

Heavy rains began lashing the region Tuesday, and there are also worries of massive mudslides.

Western Japan is still recovering from the aftermath of Typhoon Talas, which left at least 80 people dead or missing earlier this month. The storm swept away roads and downed telephone and power lines, leaving more than 4,000 people isolated.