india-issues-tsunami-alert-for-citizens-on-us-west-coast

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has issued an urgent advisory for Indian nationals living along the US West Coast and in Hawaii after a powerful earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific.

 

The quake, which measured 8.8 magnitude, occurred early Wednesday about 119 kilometres east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of about 180,000 in Russia’s Far East.

 

According to the US Geological Survey, the tremor struck at a depth of 20.7 kilometres and was followed by aftershocks reaching up to 6.9 magnitude. It is among the strongest earthquakes recorded globally since the 2011 disaster that hit Japan.

 

In a statement, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco urged Indian nationals in the affected areas to stay alert, avoid coastal regions, follow local emergency advisories and prepare for possible evacuations. The Consulate has also activated an emergency helpline for citizens needing assistance: +1-415-483-6629.

 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that a tsunami was generated and warned of potential damage to Hawaii’s coastal areas. It urged residents to take “urgent action” to protect life and property, with initial waves expected around 7 p.m. Tuesday local time.

 

Sirens were sounded in Honolulu, prompting residents to move to higher ground.

 

Tsunami advisories have also been issued for coastal areas of Oregon, California, Washington and parts of Canada. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management warned that waves of up to two feet could strike, and urged people to stay off beaches, harbours and marinas.

 

“This is not expected to be a major tsunami, but dangerous currents and strong waves could pose risks to anyone near the water,” the department said in an advisory.

 

In Japan, a tsunami wave of 40 centimetres was recorded in Tokachi, Hokkaido.

 

Local authorities urged residents to avoid coastal waters. Similar advisories were issued in the Philippines, where waves of under one metre were forecast, and in New Zealand, which warned of “strong and unusual currents” along its shorelines.