Tsunami In Japan 2011

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Sendai Tsunami Renders Millions Homeless

A massive earthquake with magnitude 8.9 on Richter scale has hit northeastern Japan at March 11, 2011, 14:46 and has triggered a tsunami causing extensive damage. There have been a number of strong aftershocks causing ships, cars and even buildings to be swept away by huge wall of water. The tsunami at the Japan's Pacific coast may also affected several other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Philippines, Guam Indonesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Taiwan and Northern Marianas (USA).

There are three continental plates (the Eurasian, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates), on intersection of which the Tokyo sits. These plates are grinding against each other inducing an enormous seismic pressure.

This is the biggest earthquake to have hit Japan in last 140 years triggering 10-meter tsunamis killing at least 19 people and making more than 4 million homes without power. In fact, this is probably the longest lasted earthquake in history of Japan. Fire has also broken out at oil refinery near Tokyo and steel plant in Chiba due to earthquake. Tsunami warning has been issued to entire Pacific basin. However there is no nuclear plant radiation leak after the quake. Many people are reportedly missing. People are also buried under landslides. A graduation ceremony at the time of earthquake has cause 600 students to be buried under the building.

This quake that has hit 150km off the cost has also cause runways of the Sendai Airport to submerge and dozens of people have been seen on the roof of the terminal building. Television pictures have shown gusting water tsunami carrying cars and buildings across the coastal farmland. The earthquake was also felt in Beijing, China 2,500 km. Several countries including Russia and Indonesia have also issued tsunami warnings. Nuclear plant has been shut down and the bullet trains have been halted. Operations at all ports in the country have been suspended.

According to UN, around 30 international search and rescue teams are already on alert and are helping people. Japan's government has also dispatched naval vessels towards the worst hit area Miyagi.

President Ma Ying-jeou has asked the Executive Yuan to set-up an emergency center for dealing with the tsunami’s potential impact. The Foreign Affairs Department has said that anxious relatives can contact at 4082000.