Tokyo, December 8 – A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Japan’s northeast region late Monday night, prompting an immediate halt to the release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The quake occurred at 11:15 pm local time with its epicenter 50 kilometres deep. The tremors were recorded as ‘Upper 6’ on Japan’s 7-level seismic intensity scale in Hachinohe city of Aomori Prefecture. Following the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas of Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido.
According to government news channel NHK, no abnormalities have been reported so far at the nuclear plants in Hokkaido, Aomori, Miyagi, and Fukushima.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) confirmed that after the tsunami warning was issued, the process of releasing contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant into the sea was stopped at 11:42 pm.
There are reports of some injuries in Aomori and Hokkaido, but all are said to be non-life-threatening. The Aomori Prefectural Government stated that power supply has been disrupted to approximately 2,700 homes.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that waves up to three metres high could hit the Pacific coasts of Iwate, central Hokkaido, and Aomori, urging residents to evacuate immediately to higher ground.
JMA also reported that 50 centimetre-high waves were recorded at Urakawa city in Hokkaido at 12:21 am and at Kuji port in Iwate Prefecture at 12:10 am.
Due to the earthquake, Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services have been suspended in both directions between Fukushima Station and Shin-Aomori Station.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the government is assessing casualties and property damage. Additionally, a crisis management centre has been activated at the Prime Minister’s office.
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