Evacuate, don't turn back: Tsunami hits northern Japan after powerful quake

Footage aired on NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves as a 'Tsunami! Evacuate!' alert flashed across the screen. A 3-metre tsunami could cause damage to low-lying areas, flooding buildings, and anybody exposed would be caught in its currents, according to JMA.

In Short

• Tsunami warnings issued, waves up to 3 metres expected
• Evacuation orders given to thousands in port towns
• Bullet train services between Tokyo and Aomori suspended

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Japan’s northeastern coast on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said, adding that the quake hit at a depth of 10 km in the Pacific Ocean. Authorities issued a tsunami "warning" following the quake, forecasting waves of up to 3 metres, but downgraded it to an "advisory" later.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to properties, as per a Reuters report.

The Japan Meteorological Agency observed two smaller tsunami waves in Iwate prefecture, one of about 2.6 feet) at Kuji port and another of about 1.3 feet. Several smaller waves could be expected during the course of the day, added the agency.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the formation of an emergency task force and issued evacuation orders to citizens in the affected areas. "Possible damage and casualties are now being looked into," Takaichi told reporters at her offices in Tokyo.

TSUNAMI ALERT, EVACUATION UNDERWAY

Several port towns, including Otsuchi and Kamaishi, issued evacuation orders for thousands of residents, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Footage aired on NHK showed ships sailing out of Hachinohe port in Hokkaido in anticipation of the waves as a 'Tsunami! Evacuate!' alert flashed across the screen. A 3-metre tsunami could cause damage to low-lying areas, flooding buildings, and anybody exposed would be caught in its currents, according to JMA.

As the quake measured an 'upper 5' on Japan's seismic intensity scale, which is strong enough to make it difficult for people to move around and cause unreinforced concrete-block walls to collapse, authorities warned residents to stay away from coastal zones as waves were expected to reach shore.

BULLET TRAIN SERVICES SUSPENDED

Bullet train operations between Tokyo and Aomori were halted following the tremor, Kyodo news agency reported. The quake registered an “upper 5” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale -- strong enough to make movement difficult and capable of causing structural damage, including the collapse of weak concrete walls.

POWER COMPANIES CHECK FACILITIES

Power utilities said they were assessing the impact of the quake. Tokyo Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power said checks were underway at their facilities.

While there are no operational nuclear power plants in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, Tohoku Electric said it was inspecting the Onagawa nuclear power plant, which is currently shut down, for any impact from the quake and possible tsunami.

The IAEA said that there were no abnormalities reported at Japan's nuclear facilities following the earthquake.

JAPAN’S HIGH SEISMIC RISK

Japan is among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.It accounts for about 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or more, such as the 2011 disaster that caused nuclear meltdowns at a Fukushima power plant.

About15 years ago, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami ravaged parts of northern Japan, leading to more than 22,000 deaths and forcing nearly half a million people to flee their homes, most of them due to tsunami damage.

Some 160,000 people fled their homes in Fukushima because of the radiation spewed from the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. About 26,000 of them haven't returned because they resettled elsewhere, their hometowns remain off-limits, or they have lingering concerns about radiation.

Monday's earthquake and tsunami has raised fears of a 2011-like situation in the country, which is already facing economic headwinds from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

(With inputs from agencies)

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters