Japan Tsunami Live Updates: First-Ever Megaquake Warning Issued After 7.5 Quake Injures 33, Forces 90,000 to Evacuate.

Japan is in a state of high alert after the country’s meteorological service gave its first-ever official megaquake warning and only hours after a very strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake rattled northeastern Japan on Monday night, to be precise at Aomori where the quake was felt most strongly, the rare seismic event triggered the activation of tsunami alerts, reported 33 people wounded, and led to the evacuation of 90,000 inhabitants from seaside towns.

The Highest-Level Megaquake Alert Had Been Issued

For the first time since Japan launched the system in 2022, officials authorized the release of the highest-level warning for a possible magnitude 8.0 or greater megaquake. Such a quake could open up the possibility of destructive waves inundating the whole Pacific coast of Japan from Hokkaido to Chiba.

The officials recommended the people to:

Stay vigilant for at least one week

Get familiar with the evacuation routes

Keep the emergency kits ready

Stockpile food, water, and the most needed medicines

Stabilize the heavy pieces of furniture indoors

The evacuation isn’t obligatory yet, but the authorities are stressing that being ready is the key factor.

The Earthquake Causes Panic as People Run Away

The earthquake occurred at 11:15 pm and was about 50 miles from the coast of the Aomori prefecture along the Pacific. The sudden and strong shaking resulted in the falling down of household items and the spreading of fear among people.

The vice principal of a school in Hachinohe, Satoshi Kato, told of the horrifying experience:

“Glassware and dishes fell and broke into fragments. When I was driving to the school evacuation center, there were traffic jams and collisions everywhere as people attempted to get away.”

In some places along the coast, tsunami waves of 70 cm height were reported, thus people were immediately warned that they had to move to higher ground.

Tsunami Alerts Lifted but Aftershocks are Expected

The meteorological agency of Japan has reduced the tsunami warnings to advisories and then lifted them altogether; however, it still cautions that severe aftershocks may occur for the next week.

Nuclear Plants Secure; Safety Checks in Progress

Initial fears were unfounded as Japan’s nuclear power plants, including the infamous Fukushima, declared no irregularities. The IAEA has verified that all reactors are under normal operation conditions, but one plant has temporarily stopped discharging treated wastewater as a precaution.

Significant Disturbance in Northern Japan

The earthquake resulted in:

Power cut-off to about 800 households

Interruption of the Shinkansen and local trains services

Severe traffic jams since thousands of people were heading to the evacuation centers

Nearly 480 people getting shelter at Hachinohe Air Base

PM Takaichi: “People’s lives are the top priority”.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has already brought into play an emergency task force and has instructed the residents to keep on the alert:

“We are very sorry for the injured ones. We request that you stay vigilant and if very strong shaking occurs, be ready for evacuation at once.”

While Japan is filled with anxiety, the government keeps on tracking the geological movements to find out the possible scenario of a stronger and deadly quake to come.