Weakened typhoon lashes Japan's coast

After hitting land, Danas is forecast to weaken further

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Downgraded from a typhoon to a severe tropical storm, Danas has continued to sweep across Japan bringing heavy rain to much of the country.

Danas is expected to hit coastal areas south of Tokyo later Tuesday and at 6:00a.m. (2100GMT Monday) the storm was located approximately 161 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Yokosuka, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii.

The storm, packing sustained winds of 130 kph and gusting to 157 kph, was moving northeastward at around 14 kph and was whipping up sea waves to 35 feet.

Heavy rain has fallen throughout Japan since Saturday from the storm, the 15th tropical cyclone (with tropical storm or above intensity) in the west Pacific this year.

On Monday, mudslides triggered by the downpour killed two people. At least four others are missing.

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Hundreds of people have been moved to evacuation centers, and thousands of travelers are stranded.

The Danas 'experience'

About 9,600 rail passengers were left without transport in central Japan after strong winds and lashing rains kept two dozen of the country's super-fast bullet trains from leaving stations, rail officials said.

Police in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, said two highway maintenance workers died in hospital after being buried in a mudslide.

The name Danas comes from the Tagalog word meaning "to experience." Tagalog is a major language in the Philippines.

Rainfall could reach 400 millimeters (16 inches) in some areas of the storm's path by Tuesday morning, Japan's Meteorological Agency said.

On Monday, areas of Tokyo were already being inundated with up to 62 millimeters (2.5 inches) of rain an hour, the agency said.

After hitting land, the storm was forecast to weaken further and head into northern Japan.