Major tsunami warning issued in Japan following 7.6 magnitude earthquake

New Delhi, Jan 1: At the beginning of the New Year 2024, Japan witnessed a major earthquake and issued a major tsunami warning after a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake that rattled the central region.

The seismic activity, occurring in the past three hours, has seen over 30 earthquakes ranging from 3.6 to 7.6 in magnitude hitting central Japan. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, of Japan addressed the media in a news conference, emphasizing the ongoing threat of additional earthquakes. Hayashi underscored that authorities are actively gathering information on the extent of the damage, with no conclusive reports on overall casualties at this time.

The government spokesman acknowledged six reported cases of individuals trapped beneath the debris of collapsed houses. However, he could not confirm whether this referred to six people or more. He did acknowledge multiple reports of buildings collapsing, indicating the evolving and challenging situation in the affected areas.

According to national broadcaster NHK, several houses and power poles collapsed in the aftermath of the earthquake. In Ishikawa prefecture, approximately 32,500 homes have lost power, as reported by Kyodo news, citing local governments.

Reports from Suzu, located near the epicentre in Ishikawa prefecture's Noto region, indicate the collapse of multiple buildings. The impact has led to the closure of motorways, and bullet trains connecting Ishikawa prefecture to Tokyo have been temporarily suspended. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, marks the largest recorded in the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture since records began in 1885, according to Japan's Meteorological Agency. Residents in the coastal Noto area have been urged to "evacuate immediately to higher ground," as stated by NHK.

The tsunami warning is the first major alert since March 2011 when Japan experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history. The Meteorological Agency official highlights an escalating risk of landslides and fires in the affected areas.

People along hundreds of kilometres of the Sea of Japan coastline are being instructed to seek higher ground. Although official warnings suggest waves could reach up to 5 meters, the highest recorded has been just over a meter.

Tsunami warnings have also been extended to neighbouring Niigata and Toyama prefectures, with authorities cautioning that waves there could reach 3 meters.

Despite the seismic activity, no abnormalities have been reported at nuclear sites in the affected area, according to Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority. This includes the five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power's Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui Prefecture.

The Hokuriku's Shika plant in Ishikawa, located closest to its epicentre, had already halted its two reactors for regular inspection before the quake and reported no impact.

The 2011 earthquake in Japan, with a magnitude of 9.0, triggered a devastating tsunami that claimed over 18,000 lives and caused a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the repercussions of which are still being addressed today.