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A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck Ishikawa in central Japan, setting off a tsunami warning and advisories for residents to evacuate immediately. The quake hit the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm local time (07:10 GMT), shaking buildings in the capital Tokyo on the opposite coast.
Key Points:
1. Tsunami Strikes Coastal Areas:
- A tsunami around 1 meter high (3.3 feet) hit parts of the west coast along the Sea of Japan, prompting public broadcaster NHK to report on the immediate evacuation of residents.
- Larger waves are expected, with the Japan Meteorological Agency issuing tsunami warnings for Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures.
2. Magnitude and Aftershocks:
- The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, causing significant tremors and aftershocks in the region.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency issued earthquake warnings for Ishikawa, urging residents to be prepared for possible aftershocks.
3. Tsunami Height and Impact:
- Hazardous tsunami waves of up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) were predicted along the north coast of central Japan within 300 km (186 miles) of the quake's epicenter.
- Reports indicated that more than 36,000 households lost power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures.
4. Government Response and Warning:
- Top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi held an emergency news conference, urging residents to evacuate and assuring that authorities were assessing the extent of the damage.
- A much higher tsunami of five meters was expected, raising concerns for the safety of residents in Noto, Ishikawa prefecture.
5. Earthquake Swarm and Historical Context:
- The earthquake was part of a series, with Japan experiencing 21 earthquakes of more than magnitude 4 in just 90 minutes.
- This marked the first time since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 that a major tsunami warning had been issued.
6. Seismic Activity in Japan:
- Japan, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the most seismically active nations globally, facing constant threats of earthquakes.
- The country has developed one of the world's most sophisticated tsunami warning systems to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.
7. Embassy of India's Emergency Contacts:
- The Embassy of India in Japan swiftly responded by issuing emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens in the affected areas.
- Indians in Japan were provided with phone numbers and email addresses for immediate assistance, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Emergency Contact Numbers for Indian Citizens in Japan:
- +81-80-3930-1715 (Mr. Yakub Topno)
- +81-70-1492-0049 (Mr. Ajay Sethi)
- +81-80-3214-4734 (Mr. D.N. Barnwal)
- +81-80-6229-5382 (Mr. S. Bhattacharya)
- +81-80-3214-4722 (Mr. Vivek Rathee)
Email Contacts for Assistance:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
As the situation unfolds, our thoughts are with the people affected by this natural disaster. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
