Russia activates tsunami alert for Sakhalin after Japan earthquake

Russia has declared a tsunami threat in Sakhalin after Japanese Meteorological Agency issued major tsunami warnings for coastal regions following a major 7.6 magnitude earthquake. Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations for the region told TASS that no evacuation of the population was ordered but that the warnings were issued. The headquarters website initially published evaluations orders but later deleted the message.

“A tsunami alert has been declared and no evacuation is being carried out,” the department said, according to Russian state news agency.

A series of powerful earthquakes and tremors hit Japan before a mega 7.6 magnitude quake jolted the country on January 1. More than 35 thousand houses in the central Japan were left without electricity supply. As Japan activated tsunami warning, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said that the waves could reach as high as 5 metres.

Civilian injuries include broken bones, fire breaks out in Noto Peninsula

A tsunami measuring  height of 1.2 metres and another measuring 40cm reached Wajima city in Ishikawa and Kashizawaki city of Japan, respectively. The tremors and the earthquake elevated the water levels in the country’s eastern province of Gangwon, South Korean meteorological agency warned. While people rushed to evacuate the coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures, giant 1.2 metres waves arose in the Noto Peninsula’s Wajima Port in Ishikawa. Throughout Sea of Japan coast, warning of tsunami of up to 3 meters was activated.

First reports of the injuries in the country from the local hospitals included people with fractured bones. No fatalities have been reported. In some areas at Noto Peninsula, there are reports of fire outbreaks, according to the state media reports. Those who would experience the waves of tsunami reaching more than 1 meter in height would “highly likely to be unable to stand, with possibility of death,” Japan's Meteorological Agency warned, urging immediate evacuations. 

Speaking with the country's media, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pleaded with the residents of the affected areas to “continue to pay close attention in case of strong earthquakes. And in areas where tsunamis are expected, I would like to request that they evacuate as soon as possible,” he added.