Series of Strong Earthquakes Jolt Japan, Triggering 5-Foot Tsunami Waves; Indian Embassy Issues Helplines

Tokyo: A series of strong earthquakes rocked Japan on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuations along the northwestern coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a 7.6 preliminary magnitude quake in Ishikawa, triggering waves up to five feet high. A series of quakes, starting with a 5.7 magnitude at 4:06 pm, unfolded, including a 6.2 magnitude shake, according to the US Geological Survey.

People were urged to evacuate coastal areas immediately as tsunami waves hit Noto in Ishikawa. The JMA warned of waves over 1 meter, posing a high risk of death. Coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama faced tsunami alerts, with waves reaching up to 3 meters in some areas. Videos on social media captured intense shaking and raging tsunami waves causing damage.

Tsunami alerts extended to North Korea, South Korea, Vladivostok, and Nakhodka. The JMA issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level warnings for the western coast of Honshu. Tremors reached Tokyo and the Kanto area. Shinkansen bullet train services were halted, power was cut to 34,000 households, and highways near the epicenter were closed.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a tsunami advisory, urging accurate information dissemination and prioritizing human lives. PM Fumio Kishida urged affected areas to remain vigilant and evacuate promptly.

The Indian Embassy in Tokyo established an emergency control room.

Japan, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, faces frequent seismic activity. The nation recalls the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, resulting in over 18,000 casualties and a nuclear emergency at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.