Shruti Suman
An impactful earthquake and tsunami struck central and western Japan on Monday, prompting evacuation advisories, causing power outages for thousands of homes, and disrupting transportation services. Initially measured at a magnitude of 7.6, the earthquake generated approximately 1-meter waves along parts of the Sea of Japan coast, with expectations of larger waves, as reported by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami alerts for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama, while Russia issued warnings for its far eastern cities, Vladivostok and Nakhodka.
Authorities are currently assessing the damage, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a broadcast on NHK, urged residents to stay vigilant for potential aftershocks. He emphasized the importance of prompt evacuation for those in areas expecting tsunamis. NHK footage showed a building collapsing in the coastal city of Suzu, and residents in Kanazawa sought shelter under tables during the tremors. The impact of the quake extended to Tokyo, where buildings shook.
Hokuriku Electric Power reported over 36,000 households losing power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. High-speed rail services to Ishikawa were suspended, and telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported disruptions in phone and internet services in Ishikawa and Niigata.
Japanese airlines, including ANA and Japan Airlines, adjusted flight plans and canceled services to affected regions. Despite the seismic activity, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no irregularities at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including Kansai Electric Power’s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui Prefecture
Japan Earthquake & Tsunami: Emergency Numbers Released by Indian Embassy
An impactful earthquake and tsunami struck central and western Japan on Monday, prompting evacuation advisories, causing power outages for thousands of homes, and disrupting transportation services. Initially measured at a magnitude of 7.6, the earthquake generated approximately 1-meter waves along parts of the Sea of Japan coast, with expectations of larger waves, as reported by NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami alerts for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama, while Russia issued warnings for its far eastern cities, Vladivostok and Nakhodka.
Authorities are currently assessing the damage, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a broadcast on NHK, urged residents to stay vigilant for potential aftershocks. He emphasized the importance of prompt evacuation for those in areas expecting tsunamis. NHK footage showed a building collapsing in the coastal city of Suzu, and residents in Kanazawa sought shelter under tables during the tremors. The impact of the quake extended to Tokyo, where buildings shook.
Hokuriku Electric Power reported over 36,000 households losing power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. High-speed rail services to Ishikawa were suspended, and telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported disruptions in phone and internet services in Ishikawa and Niigata.
Japanese airlines, including ANA and Japan Airlines, adjusted flight plans and canceled services to affected regions. Despite the seismic activity, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no irregularities at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including Kansai Electric Power’s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui Prefecture.
This incident brings back memories of the devastating March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, which claimed nearly 20,000 lives, devastated towns, and resulted in nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima.
