A tsunami advisory has been issued for Iwate Prefecture following a significant earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale that struck off the coast on Sunday evening. The quake, which occurred at 5:03 p.m., registered a seismic intensity of 4 on Japan’s scale, prompting immediate safety measures.
The city of Ofunato has taken proactive steps by issuing evacuation orders to approximately 6,138 residents across 2,825 households in coastal regions. Additional municipalities, including the cities of Kamaishi and Rikuzentakata, along with the town of Otsuchi, have also advised individuals living in areas beyond the seawalls to evacuate promptly.
In terms of tsunami activity, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a 20-centimeter tsunami was observed at Ofunato Port at 6:25 p.m., and another was recorded at Kuji Port at 5:52 p.m. Smaller tsunami waves of 10 centimeters were noted at Miyako Port around 6:14 p.m. and at Kamaishi Port at 5:37 p.m. Earlier in the day, a weak tsunami was detected approximately 70 kilometers off the coast of Iwate around 5:12 p.m. The advisory indicates potential waves could reach up to 1 meter.
The quake also caused disruptions to transport services, with the East Japan Railway reporting a temporary power loss that affected operations on the Tohoku Shinkansen line between Sendai and Shin-Aomori stations. Fortunately, as of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, there have been no reports of injuries stemming from the earthquake, reassured by the Iwate Prefectural Government.
As this situation continues to develop, authorities remain vigilant in monitoring conditions and providing updates to ensure the safety of residents in affected areas.