The Philippines has lifted tsunami advisories in several coastal areas. Japan downgraded its warning to a tsunami advisory for Kanto to Wakayama but kept higher alerts for parts of Hokkaido and Tohoku. Officials warn tsunami waves are still occurring, urging coastal residents to evacuate to high ground or shelters.
Earlier, tsunami waves have hit parts of Russia, Japan and Hawaii in the United States after a massive earthquake off the Russian coast, with alerts issued for dozens of other countries. A powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake which struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula this morning, prompting widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific and triggering evacuations in multiple countries. The first waves reached Hawaii just hours after the quake, with a 4 feet wave recorded off the coast of Oahu.
In Japan, more than 1.9 million people have been told to evacuate coastal areas. A wave measuring 4.3 feet hit the northern Iwate Prefecture.
Emergency measures have been enacted in Russia’s Sakhalin region, including a full evacuation of the Kuril Islands. Waves inundated a port town shortly after the quake. Local officials confirmed that all residents were safely evacuated.
Water services and power infrastructure in parts of Hawaii and Russia have also been impacted. In Maui, authorities shut off water supplies and wastewater systems as a precaution.
The United States Coast Guard has closed all Hawaiian harbors to incoming traffic and diverted several flights mid-air.
China, Indonesia, New Zealand, Peru, and Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands are among the other countries that have issued tsunami warnings.
This is one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in modern history. Residents across the Pacific Rim have been urged to remain in safe zones and monitor official guidance as the situation unfolds.
Meanwhile, Following the earthquake and the potential tsunami threat, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco has advised Indian Nationals to follow local alerts by carefully monitoring alerts from US authorities, including local emergency management and the US Tsunami Warning Centers. It also urged them to move to higher ground, avoid coastal areas, prepare for emergencies, and keep devices charged. It asked to contact on Helpline number +1-415-483-6629 or to reach through email on enquiry.sf@mea.gov.in in case of emergency.
