Japan Tsunami Highlights- First visuals of damage caused by earthquake in Japan – Latest developments

Japan Tsunami Highlights: First visuals of damage caused by earthquake in Japan – Latest developments

Public broadcaster NHK reported that a one-meter-high tsunami wave struck parts of Japan’s west coast along the Sea of Japan, with expectations of a larger wave following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in north-central Japan earlier today. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures’ western coastal regions.

According to the agency, a tsunami of up to 5 meters high is anticipated to reach Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture. NHK also reported waves exceeding 1 meter hitting Wajima City’s coast in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Live Updates 21:12 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: Japan lowers its tsunami warning

Japan dropped its highest-level tsunami alert, issued following a series of major earthquakes on Monday, but told residents of coastal areas not to return to their homes as deadly waves could still come.The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It was unclear how many people might have been killed or hurt. (With inputs from AP)

17:58 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: Indian embassy in Japan sets up emergency control room following tsunami alerts

The Indian Embassy in Japan on Monday set up an emergency control room for Indians wanting any assistance in the wake of the tsunami alerts issued by the authorities after a series of strong earthquakes jolted the country’s western coastline. (PTI)

15:54 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: No damage to nuclear plants

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hayashi Yoshimasa, spoke at a conference following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in north-central Japan, as reported by local media outlet NHK. Yoshimasa confirmed no damage had been reported at the nation’s nuclear power plants. Additionally, an official from the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority stated that as of now, the plants possess adequate power, enabling the continued cooling of spent fuel rods, according to Reuters.

15:19 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: What has happened so far

For the readers joining us now, here’s what has happened so far after tsunami warnings were issues in Japan earlier today:

– Japan issued tsunami alerts after strong quakes struck its western coastline, with warnings to evacuate coastal areas

– Quakes off Ishikawa had a 7.6 preliminary magnitude, leading to a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level alerts for Honshu’s western coast

– NHK warned of possible 5-meter-high torrents of water, urging rapid evacuation to high ground or buildings

– Aftershocks followed, with confirmed smaller tsunami waves reaching Japan’s western coastline

– Quakes caused damage—reported fires, collapsed structures, halted transportation, burst water pipes, and significant infrastructure disruption

– Further quakes anticipated over the week; extended tsunami warnings for Hokkaido, parts of North Korea, Russia, and Sakhalin Island. South Korea advised coastal residents to monitor sea level changes

– Prime Minister Fumio Kishida established an emergency center for quick information dissemination and evacuation guidance. The country has a history of seismic events, notably the 2011 quake and tsunami causing nuclear plant meltdowns

15:15 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: Indian embassy issues emergency numbers

Embassy of India in Japan issues emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens following a strong earthquake and tsunami warnings.

https://twitter.com/IndianEmbTokyo/status/1741751997043519552?s=20

15:11 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: First images of damage caused by earthquake

First visuals of damage caused by the earthquake in Japan. (Image courtesy: Kyodo via Reuters and AP)

14:44 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: What we know so far

Here’s what we know so far:

– Between 4:06 PM and 5:29 PM local time, a series of 20 earthquakes, measuring magnitude 4 or higher, struck off the coast of Ishikawa and neighboring Niigata prefectures

– The most potent earthquake is currently assessed at magnitude 7.5

– Reports have indicated blackouts and ruptured water mains in towns within the impacted area. Significant road closures are also underway due to cracks and infrastructure damage

– Tsunami advisories have been issued, extending as far as the northern island of Hokkaido and the southern island of Kyushu

14:41 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: Plan of Action

The Prime Minister’s office summed up PM Kishida’s plan of action as follows:

– Provide timely and accurate information to the public regarding tsunamis, evacuations, etc., and thoroughly implement damage prevention measures such as evacuation of residents.

– Immediately assess the damage situation.

– Stay in close cooperation with local governments, under the policy of putting human life first. The government will work together as one to make every effort to implement disaster response measures such as lifesaving and rescue of disaster victims.

(IE Inputs)

14:38 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: Russia issues Tsunami warning

Russia on Monday declared a tsunami warning in the far eastern cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka, state news agency TASS reported, citing the cities’ mayoralties.

A massive earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck central Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings in Japan and on Russia’s Sakhalin island. (Reuters)

14:33 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Japan Tsunami Live: No abnormalities reported at nuclear power plants

Hokuriku Electric Power said it is checking for any irregularities at its nuclear power plants, NHK reported.

A spokesperson for Kansai Electric Power said there were currently no abnormalities at its nuclear power plants but the company was monitoring the situation closely.

A huge earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011, devastating towns and triggering nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. (Reuters)

14:31 (IST) 1 Jan 2024 Tsunami waves hit shores of Japan

The first tsunami waves, up to one-metre-high, hit the shores of Japan on Monday. The tsunami was triggered following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the north-central part of the country earlier today. According to the country’s meteorological agency, waves up to five metres high are expected to follow.

This is a developing story and we will keep bringing you all the latest updates on it here. Stay tuned.