POWERFUL typhoon Songda made landfall in southern Japan yesterday, pounding the region with torrential rains and high winds that forced evacuations, caused blackouts and brought public transport to a virtual standstill.

At least four people were killed and 30 more injured today when a powerful typhoon hit southern Japan.

A swollen creek swept a villager away as Typhoon Aere crashed into mainland China, unleashing torrential rains and prompting the evacuation of a half-million people.