Japan Earthquake Live: Indian Embassy Expresses Solidarity With Ishikawa Residents
Indian Embassy in Japan posted on X, “Deeply saddened to learn of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Ishikawa and other nearby prefectures of Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. India stands in solidarity with Japan and its people in these challenging times.”
The earthquake has left at least 48 people dead in Ishikawa Prefecture. Injuries are reported in the prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, Fukui, Toyama, and Gifu.
Thousands of army personnel, firefighters and police officers from across the country have been dispatched to the worst-hit area in the Noto peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture.
Japanese rescuers are battling against the clock and powerful aftershocks to find survivors of a major earthquake that struck on New Year’s Day, killing at least 30 people and leaving a trail of destruction, according AFP.
At least 30 dead Ishikawa Prefecture following the series of earthquakes, say local authorities.
Fire department officials say 25 buildings, including houses have collapsed in Wajima City. They say 14 of the structures may have people trapped inside. Firefighters are trying to rescue them.
In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, over 100 buildings around Asaichi Street in Kawai Town, a renowned tourist spot, have been engulfed in fire, according to NHK news.
Visuals reveals of central Wajima City around 7 AM, showed flames emerging from various locations. Wide expanses are veiled in billowing white smoke, indicative of multiple ongoing fires.
The aftermath reveals charred structures and some buildings completely consumed by the blaze. One prominent building, presumably a seven-story structure, appears to have collapsed sideways.
Japan has been hit since Monday by 155 earthquakes including a 7.6-magnitude jolt and another over 6, the Japan Meteorological Office says, according to AFP.
Major quakes that hit central Japan on New Year’s Day caused “extensive” damage with numerous casualties, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says.
“Very extensive damage has been confirmed, including numerous casualties, building collapses and fires,” he told reporters, describing a “race against time” to rescue victims
The Japan Meteorological Agency’s previous ‘tsunami warning’ in earthquake-affected areas has now been lowered to a tsunami advisory, according to news agency Reuters, citing local media station NHK. However, the agency has encouraged locals to take care and be vigilant, noting that earthquakes of comparable magnitude to the one that struck today are still possible in the next week.
Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated on Monday that he has directed Self-Defense Force (SDF) members to visit earthquake-affected areas by all means possible, according to local media station NHK. The network also reported Japan’s Prime Minister as stating that mobilising SDF personnel to these places would be difficult due to the earthquakes. While emphasising the need of rescuing persons trapped in buildings before they collapse, Kishida directed that essential commodities be delivered via water ways.
A powerful earthquake struck central Japan on Monday, killing at least one person, destroying buildings, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground.
The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 triggered waves of about 1 metre along Japan’s west coast and neighbouring South Korea, with authorities saying larger waves could follow.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for the prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama.
A major tsunami warning – the first since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan – was issued for Ishikawa but was later downgraded and eventually cut to an advisory, meaning waves up to 1 metre (3 foot) high could be expected.
Reuters
Russia and North Korea issued tsunami warnings for some regions.
Japan dropped its highest-level tsunami alert, issued following a series of major earthquakes on Monday, but told residents of coastal areas not to return to their homes as deadly waves could still come.
The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It was unclear how many people might have been killed or hurt.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported more than a dozen quakes in the Japan Sea off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m.
At least six homes were damaged by the quakes, with people trapped inside, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said. A fire broke out in Wajima city, Ishikawa Prefecture, and electricity was out for more than 30,000 households, he said.
(AP)
According to their websites, high-speed train services to Ishikawa have been discontinued, while telecom carriers Softbank and KDDI have reported phone and internet service interruptions in Ishikawa and Niigata.
ANA turned back flights bound for Toyama and Ishikawa airports, while Japan Airlines cancelled most of its services to the Niigata and Ishikawa areas, and officials claimed one of Ishikawa’s airports was closed.
According to fire services and municipal governments in Fukui Prefecture (part of Japan’s Honshu island), at least five persons were wounded as of 6 p.m. as a result of the earthquake. Both cases are claimed to have mild injuries. (SOURCE: NHK NEWS)
Japan Tsunami Live: Japanese Meteorology office has warned of more possible earthquakes in the affected region anytime within a week and asked residents to move to areas at higher reaches.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a significant tsunami warning was remained in effect in the city of Noto in Ishikawa prefecture, with waves of roughly 5 metres forecast.
The South Korean meteorological office stated on Monday that the sea level in some regions of the east coast’s Gangwon province may increase as a result of the earthquake in Japan.
Indian Embassy in Japan: “Embassy has set up an emergency control room for anyone to contact in connection with the Earthquake and Tsunami on January I, 2024. The following Emergency numbers and email IDs may be contacted for any assistance.”
Temperatures in the affected area are expected to dip to roughly 1°C overnight, with approximately 36,000 people now without electricity.
Tass reported that the city of Vladivostok in Russia’s far east has issued a tsunami warning, advising fishermen and others who intended to venture out into the ocean to come to shore.
Japan Tsunami Live: 21 earthquakes measuring above magnitude 4.0 hit the country with the strongest measuring 7.4 magnitude, reports AFP.
Background
Japan Tsunami News: Follow this space for the latest and breaking updates on the Japan tsunami.
A strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake has hit western Japan leading to massive waves in the sea as a tsunami struck the country on New Year’s day. Authorities have initiated a rescue operation and asked residents near coastal regions to move to higher reaches and evacuate immediately. According to the latest warning, very high waves are approaching the coasts.
“Evacuate immediately. Waves can hit repeatedly. Continue to evacuate until all warnings are lifted,” the warnings said.
According to Japantimes, tsunami with waves reaching up to 3 metres were issued across the Sea of Japan coast all the way from Hokkaido to Nagasaki. The report said several aftershocks followed the initial jolt of magnitude of 7.4. It struck the Noto Peninsula, with waves predicted to reach as high as 5 meters.
The Noto area experienced seven earthquakes, while 11 had been registered across all of Japan as of 5 pm, the report added. At around 4:35 pm, waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture and waves of 40 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture. The warning said tsunami may hit Yamagata and Hyogo prefectures. The alert issued is of the highest level bringing back the memories of the disastrous 2011 tsunami.
The Janapntimes stated the tsunami alert issued in the Noto Peninsula area was the top-level alert out of three warnings and was equal to one issued after the March 2011 quake in the Tohoku region.
Around 33,500 households were without power after Japan quakes, reports say, as per AFP. Several major highways are closed round the epicentre of a series of major earthquakes in central Japan, the road operator says, AFP added.
People took to social media to share the moment when several tremors jolted the western region and other areas in the country. Meanwhile, no abnormality has been reported in the nuclear plant in the country.
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