Amid ongoing scare triggered by a tsunami in Japan has put authorities in the country on their toes after 21 earthquakes, the strongest measuring 7.6 magnitude, hit the western region on New Year's day. According to AFP, around 33,500 households are without power after tremors jolted Japan and several major highways are closed around the epicentre.
According to a report in The Guardian, cases of injuries have come with hospitals reporting cases of broken bones. However, The Guardian added, that no fatalities have been confirmed so far. Fires have also broken out at homes on the Noto Peninsula.
Japanese PM Fumio Kishida arrived at his office to assess the damage and lead the government’s response and called on residents to evacuate immediately, Reuters reported.
"Residents need to stay on alert for further possible quakes and I urge people in areas where tsunamis are expected to evacuate as soon as possible," Kishida said. Meanwhile, Kishida said that authorities are still assessing the situation and the extent of the damage and asked residents to prepare for any more tremors.
As a precautionary measure, high-speed rail services to Ishikawa have been suspended while telecom operators Softbank and KDDI reported phone and internet service disruptions in Ishikawa and Niigata, according to their websites, reported Reuters.
Japanese airline ANA (9202.T) turned back four planes that were headed towards airports in Toyama and Ishikawa midair after the earthquake. On the other hand, Japan Airlines (9201.T) cancelled most of the flight services to Niigata and Ishikawa regions for the rest of the day, according to TV Asahi, the report further said.
Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority meanwhile said no irregularities have been confirmed at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power.
Japan Meteorological Agency said a large tsunami has been observed and there is a risk of severe damage. It advised people in coastal areas or along rivers to immediately evacuate to a safer location such as higher ground or an evacuation building.
"Tsunamis strike repeatedly. Do not leave your safe area until the warning has been lifted," the release said.
Alerting about possible aftershocks, it said that in the past, the ratio of earthquakes of similar magnitude occurring after a major earthquake is 10 to 20 per cent.
"Especially over the next few days, large earthquakes are likely to occur. Additionally, seismic activity has continued in this area for over three years and is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, so please continue to be careful. The shaking of this earthquake was spread over a wider area than before," the release further added.