The Indian embassy in Japan issued a megaquake advisory for Indian citizens residing in the country, urging them to prepare for natural disasters after a strong magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook the island nation on August 8.
Experts have said a “megaquake” may strike Japan in the coming days. An earthquake of over 8 on the Richter scale is called a megaquake as it capable of causing widespread devastation. Two powerful earthquakes struck off Japan’s southern coast on Thursday: the first, a 6.9-magnitude quake, was followed by another 7.1-magnitude tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The Indian embassy asked citizens to follow guidelines set by Japanese authorities and monitor the embassy’s website and social media handles for updates. They also shared an advisory document which states that the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued an emergency bulletin on the Nankai Trough, a region off Japan’s Pacific coast known for its potential to generate massive earthquakes.
The government of Japan has held a disaster response meeting, established a state of alert system and urged citizens to reaffirm their earthquake preparedness on a daily basis. Furthermore, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) issued an advisory and set up a Disaster Management Headquarters (DMHQ) on August 8 to enhance preparedness in connection with the megaquake advisory. According to the TMG's advisory, if a megaquake were to occur, Tokyo could experience seismic intensity of 6 or lower, with the possibility of a tsunami affecting the island areas.
The advisory also outlined specific precautions and preparedness measures that citizens should take, including securing furniture, preparing emergency kits and familiarising themselves with evacuation routes. The Indian embassy in Japan has emphasised that while the advisory is serious, it is intended to boost preparedness rather than incite panic.
The Japanese government has also reassured citizens that there is no need to panic and that the advisory is only meant to enhance preparedness.
(With inputs from multiple news sources)