First Tsunami Waves Hit Japan As 50 Earthquakes Hit Japan, Residents Asked To "Run"

Tsunami waves over a metre (3.5 feet)high hit Japan on Monday after a huge earthquake that damaged homes, set off a major fire, closed highways and prompted authorities to urge people to run to higher ground.

The Japan Meterological Agency reported quakes off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m., one of them with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6.It issued a major tsunami warning for Ishikawa and lower-level tsunami warnings or advisories for the rest of the western coast of Japan’s main island of Honshu.

Japan's weather agency also said that it was one of more than 50 quakes of 3.2 magnitude or more to rock the region on the New Year's Day holiday -- when families get together and visit shrines -- over several hours.??

AP

Water could reach as high as 16 feet

NHK TV warned torrents of water could reach as high as 5 metres (16 feet) and urged people to flee to high land or a top of a nearby building as quickly as possible.The broadcaster reported that a tsunami with a height of 1.2 metres reached Wajima city in Ishikawa and another reaching 40cm was recorded at Kashizawaki city.?

Reports of damage were not immediately available. Unverified footage posted to X showed waves of water surging up a canal in Ishikawa prefecture.

South Korea’s meteorological agency said sea levels off its eastern province of Gangwon could rise after the earthquakes.

Japan’s Hokuriku Electric Power Company reported that more than 36,000 houses were experiencing power outages after the quakes.

Japan's PM urged people to "evacuate"

Television channels interrupted normal services with special programming including of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urging people in danger areas to "evacuate as soon as possible" to higher ground.

"We realise your home, your belongings are all precious to you, but your lives are important above everything else! Run to the highest ground possible," an alarmed presenter on broadcaster NHK told viewers.

Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that nuclear plants in the area had not reported any irregularities. But he said it was critical for people in coastal areas to get away from the oncoming tsunami.“Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately,” he said.

The Japanese government has set up a special emergency center to gather information on the quakes and tsunami and relay them speedily to residents to ensure safety, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.He reiterated the warning for immediate evacuation in affected areas.

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