Strong Earthquake Rocks Central Japan, Triggering Tsunami Warning Across Western Coast

In a harrowing turn of events, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7 on the Japanese scale, the highest level, struck central Japan on Monday. The seismic activity, centered on the Noto Peninsula, prompted immediate tsunami warnings along a vast stretch of the country’s western coast.

The initial earthquake, measuring an estimated magnitude of 7.4, sent shockwaves across Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama, and Yamagata prefectures. As the earth trembled, a rare major tsunami warning was issued for the Noto Peninsula’s Wajima Port in Ishikawa. Waves reaching as high as 5 meters were predicted to hit the area.

Authorities swiftly issued evacuation orders, urging residents to leave coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama, and Yamagata prefectures. The urgency of the situation was underscored by a series of aftershocks that followed the main quake.

NHK reported that over 1.2-meter waves reached the Noto Peninsula’s Wajima Port at around 4:21 p.m., confirming the severity of the situation. The tsunami warning included predictions of waves as high as 80 cm in Toyama Prefecture at 4:35 p.m. and waves of a staggering 40 meters in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, at 4:36 p.m. Additionally, Niigata’s Sado Island experienced waves at 4:10 p.m.

The impact was not limited to these regions, as the tsunami threat extended to Yamagata and Hyogo prefectures. With the situation rapidly evolving, residents and authorities are on high alert, coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of those in vulnerable areas.

As Japan grapples with the aftermath of this significant seismic event, the focus is now on emergency response measures, potential damage assessments, and the collective resilience of the affected communities. The nation remains united in facing the challenges posed by this natural disaster.