The earthquake hits Japan and the inhabitants flee from some coastal areas

A powerful earthquake struck Japan on Monday, prompting warnings for residents to evacuate some areas on the west coast, knocking out power to thousands of homes and disrupting flights and train services in the affected region.

The preliminary magnitude 7.6 earthquake sent waves of about 1 meter along parts of the Sea of ​​Japan coast, with a larger wave expected, Japanese public television NHK reported.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for the coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama, the first major warning since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan.

A severe tsunami warning means there is a possibility of waves exceeding 3 meters.

Russia has also issued tsunami warnings for the cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka.

Some houses were destroyed and army units were sent to help with rescue operations, government spokesman Hayashi Yoshimasa told reporters, adding that authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage.

According to Toshihiro Shimoyama, an official at the Japan Meteorological Agency, stronger earthquakes could occur in the coming days in the area, where seismic activity has been ongoing for more than three years.

In comments to the press immediately after the earthquake, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also warned residents to prepare for more disasters.

“Residents need to be alert for possible new earthquakes and I urge people in areas where tsunamis are expected to leave as soon as possible,” Kishida said.

“Run!” the yellow warning flashed across television screens, advising residents in specific areas of the coast to leave their homes immediately.

Images broadcast by local media showed a building collapsing amid a cloud of dust in the coastal city of Suzu and a huge crack in a street in Wajima, where apparently distressed parents kept their children.

The earthquake also shook buildings in the capital Tokyo, about 500 kilometers from Wajima, on the opposite coast.

More than 36,000 homes remained without electricity in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, according to utility provider Hokuriku Electric Power.

Train services to Ishikawa were suspended, while telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported disruptions to telephone and internet services in Ishikawa and Niigata, according to their websites.

Japanese airline ANA returned planes to Toyama and Ishikawa airports, while Japan Airlines canceled most of its services to the Niigata and Ishikawa regions and authorities said one of Ishikawa’s airports was closed.

Monday’s earthquake occurred during the January 1 holiday, when millions of Japanese traditionally visit temples to celebrate the New Year.

Source: Terra

Rose

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