RUGBY World Cup matches were declared draws and concerts and other events in Japan have been cancelled as heavy rain and strong winds pounded Tokyo.

The powerful typhoon, forecast to be Japan’s worst in six decades, has grounded flights and train services.

Store shelves were bare after people stocked up on water and food ahead of Typhoon Hagibis, which means “speed” in Filipino.

The storm was advancing north-northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 100mph according to the meteorological agency, which warned of dangerously heavy rainfall in Tokyo and surrounding areas.

An earthquake shook the area shortly before the typhoon made landfall in Shizuoka yesterday evening.

The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 5.3 quake was centred in the ocean off the coast of Chiba, near Tokyo, and was fairly deep, at 37 miles. Deep quakes tend to cause less damage than shallow ones.

Authorities also warned of mudslides, common in mountainous Japan.

Public broadcaster NHK said Shiroyama dam in Kanagawa prefecture, also south-west of Tokyo, may release some of its waters, which were nearing limits.

An overflooded dam is likely to cause greater damage, and so releasing some water gradually is a standard emergency measure.

Rugby World Cup matches, concerts and other events in the area were cancelled, while flights were grounded and train services halted.

Authorities acted quickly, with warnings issued earlier in the week, including urging people to stay indoors.

Some 17,000 police and military troops were called up, standing ready for rescue operations.