Tsunami warnings in Japan have been switched to advisories. But people across the country are urged to stay cautious, as the tsunami advisories remain in place from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
Two million people told to evacuate
The Japan Meteorological Agency has revised tsunami warnings to lower level advisories for all areas of Japan as of Wednesday evening. But officials say people should exercise caution until advisories are lifted.
According to government officials, more than two million people in 229 municipalities have been urged to evacuate as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities have been calling on people to stay away from the sea and move to higher grounds.
Traffic affected
Due to the tsunami warning, trains and air traffic were disrupted across the country.
In the greater Tokyo area and other regions, commuter trains such as Tokaido Line, Yokosuka Line and Shonan-Shinjuku Line have been affected.
Runways at Sendai Airport in Japan’s northeast have also been closed.
Flights to and from the airport were suspended. Airlines are urging customers to stay updated by checking their websites.
Tsunami threat may remain for at least one day
Japan Meteorological Agency’s Kiyomoto Masashi made remarks at a JMA news conference held from 1 p.m. after a magnitude 8.7 quake struck the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia on Wednesday morning.
“Tsunami are now continuing to be observed,” Kiyomoto said.
He said that a single tsunami can have a very long cycle of about one hour and tsunami can continue to be observed over a long time. He said high tsunami are possible and there is risk of damage.
Kiyomoto said that there have been big earthquakes in the past in the area of Wednesday’s quake. He said based on observations of past tsunami after earthquakes of a similar scale, conditions for high tsunami will remain for about at least more than one day.
He also said that people in safe places should avoid leaving them despite the hot weather.
Tsunami observed in parts of Japan
Tsunami waves have reached parts of Japan’s Pacific coastal regions following a powerful earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday.
A 1.3-meter tsunami was recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate prefecture, while a 80 centimeter wave was observed at Nemuro, Hokkaido and 70 centimeter tsunami at Ishinomaki Port in Miyagi.
High waves have also been observed in the Tohoku and Kanto regions. A 30 centimeter wave was recorded at Yokohama Port.
Region no stranger to earthquakes, tsunamis
The Kamchatka Peninsula has experienced massive earthquakes and tsunamis in the past.
The most powerful in recent history struck in November 1952. According to documents compiled by the Japanese government and experts, the quake had an estimated magnitude of 9.0. It triggered tsunami more than 10 meters high that struck the peninsula as well as the Hawaiian Islands.
Large waves also reached Japan’s Pacific coast — measuring a meter high in Kuji city in Iwate Prefecture, and 92 centimeters in Ishinomaki city, Miyagi Prefecture.
Later studies suggested waves more than 3 meters high hit some parts of Northeastern Japan.
There were reports of houses being flooded all down the coast, including Hokkaido, Tohoku, and the prefectures of Shizuoka, Mie and Miyazaki.
People are advised to stay informed through radio, smartphones or mobile phones.
