The west coast of Japan was hit by several major earthquakes on New Year’s Day. The natural disaster has also caused a tsunami. The Japanese authorities fear a tidal wave up to 5 meters high.
A tidal wave of 120 centimeters has already been observed in the city of Wajima, reports Japanese broadcaster NHK. A wave of 50 centimeters was seen southeast of that city, in Toyama.
The first major earthquake struck on Monday morning in Ishikawa district, about 280 kilometers west of Tokyo. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 and caused significant damage in Wajima and Niigata, among others.
Nuclear power stations in the affected region do not appear to be damaged, but the quake has left tens of thousands of households without power. No fatalities have been reported. Some people have been injured.
Several roads are closed for safety reasons. Many flights have been canceled and public transport has been shut down.
After the heavy earthquake, the area remained uneasy for a while. Reuters news agency reports another quake, which had a magnitude of 5.7. Residents of the areas should expect more earthquakes. There have already been about forty aftershocks.
Authorities are calling on coastal residents to evacuate
Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has urged residents of the coastal Noto district to leave as quickly as possible. A tidal wave of more than 120 centimeters was reportedly observed in the coastal district. The people have to go to a higher area or an evacuation center.
According to the Japanese Weather Institute, there is a risk of tidal waves in the western districts of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama, among others. It also warns of landslides in the affected areas.
On the other side of the Sea of ​​Japan, in Russia and South Korea, alarms have also been raised about the risk of a tsunami.
South Korean authorities are calling on coastal residents to seek higher ground. A tidal wave of about 45 centimeters has now come ashore there, Reuters writes.
