A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck central Japan on Monday, triggering warnings for residents to evacuate some areas on its west coast. The quake knocked out power to thousands of homes and disrupted flights and rail services to the affected region

Tsunami Warnings and Evacuations

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for the coastal prefectures of Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama, with a possibility of waves of more than 3 meters. Residents were urged to evacuate as soon as possible, and some houses were destroyed, leading to the dispatch of army units for rescue operations

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Impact on Infrastructure and Services

The earthquake caused disruptions to power, with more than 36,000 households losing power in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures. High-speed rail services were suspended, and telecom operators reported phone and internet service disruptions in the affected areas. Flights and rail services were also affected

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Nuclear Plants and Safety Measures

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed no irregularities at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan. The closest nuclear power station to the quake’s epicenter had already halted its two reactors before the quake for regular inspections and saw no impact from the quake

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Historical Context and Preparedness

The earthquake struck during a public holiday when millions of Japanese traditionally visit temples to mark the new year. Japan has a history of devastating earthquakes, including the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned residents to prepare for more disasters

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Local Impact and Evacuation

Images showed a building collapsing in the coastal city of Suzu, a huge crack in a road in Wajima, and jolted buildings in the capital Tokyo. Residents in specific areas of the coast were advised to immediately evacuate their homes. Evacuees, including anxious worshippers, sought safety in nearby elementary schools and other designated areas

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Continued Monitoring and Updates

Tsunami warnings and alerts were issued, and the government was set to hold a news conference to provide updates on the situation. The area continued to be monitored for further possible quakes, and residents were urged to stay on alert. The news story is being updated, and more details will be published shortly

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