زلزال قوي يضرب اليابان وتحذيرات من تسونامي بارتفاع 3 أمتار وإجلاء جماعي للسكان

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the northeastern coast of Japan today (Monday), prompting authorities to issue urgent tsunami warnings and initiate widespread evacuation operations for residents in coastal areas.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the earthquake occurred off the coast of the Sanriku region at a depth of about 10 kilometers beneath the sea surface, with predictions of tsunami waves that could reach heights of up to 3 meters, especially in Iwate Prefecture and parts of Hokkaido.

Initial Waves and Ongoing Warnings

Authorities have already recorded tsunami waves measuring about 80 centimeters at Koji Port in Iwate Prefecture, with warnings that subsequent waves may be higher and more dangerous. Officials urged residents to immediately move away from the coast and head to higher ground or safe shelters.

Shinji Kiyomoto, an official from the meteorological agency, confirmed that "the second and third waves may exceed the first," emphasizing the necessity of not returning to low-lying areas until warnings are officially lifted.

Risks of Aftershocks and Landslides

Authorities warned of the possibility of strong aftershocks in the coming days, which could exceed a magnitude of 7, particularly in the same affected area. They also pointed out additional risks including rockfalls and landslides in areas that experienced violent shaking.

Urgent Government Measures

The Japanese government announced the formation of an emergency committee to manage the crisis, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi urged residents to evacuate immediately from low-lying areas, confirming that assessments of human and material damage are still ongoing.

Impacts on Transportation and Aviation

The earthquake caused disruptions in transportation, with some Shinkansen bullet train services suspended, and ANA Airlines announced delays and rerouting of several flights before resuming operations after safety checks were conducted.

In contrast, major airports such as Shin-Chitose and Sendai reported that they continue to operate normally.

Nuclear Facility Safety

Authorities confirmed that no damage was reported at nuclear power plants, including Fukushima Daiichi and Daini, as well as the Onagawa and Higashidori plants, with precautionary inspections ongoing.

Warning of a "Possible Major Earthquake"

In a later update, the government issued a warning about the possibility of a "major earthquake" in the northern regions next week, with a probability of 1%. This precautionary warning aims to raise the level of preparedness among residents.

Memory of the 2011 Disaster Resurfaces

These developments come 15 years after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, which resulted in over 22,000 deaths and forced nearly half a million people to evacuate, marking one of the worst natural disasters in Japan's history.