A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake rattled central Japan and its western coast on Monday, leading to widespread evacuations, power outages, and disruptions to transportation services. The quake prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue tsunami warnings for coastal prefectures, marking the first major alerts since the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.
The impact of the earthquake was captured in a subway station in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, where flooding occurred. Eyewitnesses recorded scenes of puddles on the station floor, and people crouched on train platforms as signs above them shook during the quake.
The earthquake’s reach extended beyond Japan’s borders, with North Korea issuing tsunami warnings for its east coast in response to the seismic activity in central Japan. North Korea’s state radio reported potential waves of up to 2.08 meters (6.8 feet) reaching its shores.
Toshihiro Shimoyama, a spokesperson from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), confirmed that the tsunami alert remained in effect, urging those near the coast to seek higher ground. The quake also triggered tsunami warnings in South Korea and Russia.
A major tsunami warning implies the possibility of waves exceeding 3 meters (9.8 feet) in height. The coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama were specifically highlighted in the tsunami warnings issued by the JMA.
The seismic activity serves as a reminder of the ongoing vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis in the region, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and swift responses to mitigate potential risks and damages. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and residents are urged to adhere to safety guidelines and evacuation measures.
(inputs from Reuters)