Japan Orders Evacuations Due to Tsunami Threat
(MENAFN) Tsunami waves swept across parts of Japan’s Pacific coastal regions Wednesday following a massive earthquake near Russia, prompting officials to order tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, media reported.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency recorded tsunami heights reaching 60 centimeters (2 feet) at Kuji Port in Iwate and Hamanaka in Hokkaido, while Ishinomaki Port in Miyagi measured 50 centimeters (1.64 feet) waves.
The Tohoku and Kanto areas also experienced heightened wave activity, including a 30-centimeter (1-foot) surge at Yokohama Port.
Earlier on Wednesday, smaller tsunami waves were detected along Hokkaido’s eastern coastline—30 centimeters at Hanasaki Port in Nemuro at 10:30 a.m. (0130 GMT), followed closely by Hamanaka and Kushiro Ports.
In response, authorities issued evacuation orders, urging residents near coastal and river areas to seek higher ground immediately and remain in safe zones until warnings are lifted.
The tsunami’s impact disrupted transportation nationwide. Sendai Airport in northeast Japan closed runways and suspended flights, with some flights redirected. Railway services in affected regions were also temporarily halted.
The Kamchatka Peninsula, known for its history of powerful earthquakes and tsunamis, experienced its strongest recorded quake in modern times. The US Geological Survey reported the magnitude 8.8 earthquake generated tsunami alerts throughout the Pacific Ocean basin.
The quake’s epicenter was located 119 kilometers (73.9 miles) east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 20.7 kilometers (12.8 miles), according to the agency.
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