TOKYO, Dec 9 — Japan lifted all tsunami warnings on Tuesday morning, just hours after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the country’s northeastern coast, injuring at least 30 people and prompting evacuation orders affecting roughly 90,000 residents.
The quake hit at 11:15 p.m. on Monday (1415 GMT) at a depth of around 50km, approximately 80km off the Aomori coastline, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The agency initially warned that tsunami waves as high as 3 metres (10 feet) could impact coastal communities in Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.
Although the worst-case waves did not materialise, tsunamis between 20cm and 70cm (7 to 27 inches) were recorded at several ports along the northeastern seaboard.
Transport Disruptions and Power Outages
The quake triggered widespread disruptions across the region.
Authorities reported:
-
Thousands of homes without electricity, particularly in Aomori Prefecture
-
Suspension of train services along parts of the northeastern coast
-
Road collapses, including one incident where a vehicle was stranded in a sinkhole
Emergency crews continued assessing damage early Tuesday as heavy snow complicated response efforts in some areas.
Government Urges Preparedness Amid Aftershock Risk
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged residents in affected regions to remain vigilant.
“Reconfirm your daily earthquake preparedness, such as securing furniture, and be ready to evacuate immediately if you feel strong shaking,” she said.
Local media reported that authorities expect significant aftershocks in the coming days, with seismologists advising the public to stay on heightened alert for at least a week.
No Irregularities at Nuclear Facilities
Energy operator Tohoku Electric Power confirmed there were no abnormalities detected at the Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear power plants following the quake.
Japanese officials also notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that no issues were observed at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi site.
Japan’s Quake-Prone Landscape
Japan sits along the seismically active Ring of Fire and experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually.
Experts continue to warn of a high likelihood—estimated at 60–90%—of a major Nankai Trough earthquake occurring within the next 30 years.
The last catastrophic event in the region was the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which claimed more than 18,000 lives.
Damage Assessments Continue
Authorities have activated emergency response teams as they continue compiling damage reports and delivering aid to affected communities.
The JMA noted that seismic activity may remain elevated, urging residents to keep monitoring official updates.
Comments
Post a Comment