Japan Earthquake: According to media reports, north central Japan was struck by an earthquake on Monday with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6. Following a string of powerful earthquakes that rocked western regions, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the coastline districts of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures, according to the reports.
According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV, Hokuriku Electric Power stated that it is investigating any anomalies at its nuclear power reactors. One of the earthquakes, which struck Ishikawa and neighbouring prefectures, had a preliminary magnitude of 7.4, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
People in Japan were told to "evacuate immediately" after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the central region.
A severe tsunami alert was issued for Ishikawa’s coastal Noto area, indicating that waves as high as five metres could occur.
In addition, authorities warned that waves in the nearby prefectures of Niigata and Toyama might reach three metres in height.
Despite the cold, inhabitants were advised to evacuate by large letters flashing on public television: “EVACUATE”.
Keep up with our live coverage of Japan’s tsunami warnings.
“We realise your home and belongings are precious to you, but your lives are important above everything else,” an NHK broadcaster pleaded with the impacted viewers. Head towards the tallest point you can find.”
Videos of people’s houses and tube cars trembling during the earthquake have also been uploaded.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that a sequence of earthquakes struck the Noto region in the afternoon, beginning with a 5.7 magnitude tremor at 16:06 local time (07:06 GMT). Within an hour, there were at least five more tremors plus the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that preceded it.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, a spokesman for the Japanese government, has advised citizens to get ready for more earthquakes.
The largest nuclear power company in the nation, Kansai Electric, reported that there had been “no abnormality” in the impacted area’s nuclear plants.
The meteorological agency of South Korea has issued a warning, stating that between 18:29 and 19:17 local time, tsunami waves as high as 0.3 metres might strike the country’s eastern coast.
According to its official news agency TASS, Russia has issued tsunami warnings for the port cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka in its far east.
A 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated northeastern coastal communities in Japan in 2011, killing almost 18,000 people and uprooting tens of thousands more. The most catastrophic nuclear disaster since Chernobyl was caused by a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima power station as a result of the tsunami.
Our current understanding of the Japanese earthquake:
- People were advised to evacuate as soon as possible to high ground or the top of a neighbouring building by NHK TV, which warned that water torrents could reach as high as 5 metres (16.5 feet).
- According to NHK, waves that were more than a metre high struck the coast of Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture.
- Around 4:10 p.m. (0710 GMT), a seismic activity struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture. ‘All residents must evacuate immediately to higher ground,’ national television NHK declared.
- Sea levels could rise in some areas of South Korea’s east coast following the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan, according to the country’s meteorological agency.
- According to a Kansai Electric Power representative, the business was actively monitoring the situation, but at this time, there were no anomalies at any of its nuclear power stations.
- Following strong earthquakes that struck western Japan, all high-speed trains in Ishikawa Prefecture were halted, according to local media.
