A significant earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 has rocked central Japan, prompting urgent warnings for residents to evacuate coastal areas on the west coast. The quake, which struck during the New Year’s Day holiday, disrupted power, transportation, and triggered tsunami warnings for Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures.
Key Highlights:
1. Magnitude and Tsunami Warnings: The earthquake, striking central Japan, prompted tsunami warnings for coastal regions, with waves of approximately 1 meter reported along the Sea of Japan coast. A major tsunami warning, indicating the possibility of waves exceeding 3 meters, has been issued.
2. Impact and Evacuations: Some houses have been destroyed, and military units have been deployed for rescue operations. Residents are urged to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks and evacuate areas at risk of tsunamis promptly.
3. Infrastructure Disruptions: The quake caused power outages affecting over 36,000 households in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. High-speed rail services to Ishikawa were suspended, and telecommunication disruptions were reported by Softbank and KDDI.
4. Transportation and Aviation: Airlines, including ANA and Japan Airlines, adjusted flights to affected regions. Japan’s transportation infrastructure, including railways, experienced disruptions, impacting travel in the affected areas.
5. Nuclear Plants: Authorities reported no irregularities at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan. Ongoing inspections at Hokuriku’s Shika plant, closest to the quake’s epicenter, were unaffected.
6. Historical Context: The earthquake comes a decade after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed thousands of lives and led to nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. Japan has been historically prone to seismic activity.
Prime Minister’s Warning: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged residents to stay alert for potential aftershocks, emphasizing the need for preparedness in the face of possible disasters.
As Japan grapples with the aftermath of this powerful quake, the world watches in solidarity, hoping for the safety and swift recovery of those affected.
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Credit: Tim Kelly and Chang-Ran Kim