New Delhi: Following the powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) confirmed that there is no tsunami threat to India or the Indian Ocean region.
The earthquake, one of the strongest recorded in recent years, triggered tsunami alerts across the northern Pacific, with warnings issued for Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, and coastal areas as far south as New Zealand.
In a post on social media platform X, INCOIS stated that the quake, initially measured at 8.7 before being revised to 8.8 magnitude, was detected off the East Coast of Kamchatka. “No tsunami threat to India and the Indian Ocean in connection with this earthquake,” the agency assured.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco said it was closely monitoring the situation, particularly the potential impact of tsunami waves on the U.S. West Coast. The Consulate issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in California, other coastal U.S. states, and Hawaii to follow local emergency alerts and be prepared for evacuation if necessary.
The advisory also encouraged Indian nationals to avoid coastal areas, move to higher ground in the event of a tsunami warning, and keep communication devices fully charged. A dedicated helpline (+1-415-483-6629) was also made available for assistance.
In Honolulu, traffic came to a standstill during rush hour as tsunami warning sirens echoed across the city, prompting residents to seek higher ground. Schools in Hawaii canceled after-school programs and evening activities as a precaution.
In Japan, the highest tsunami wave recorded so far was 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) at the port of Ishinomaki in the northern part of the country, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, closest to the epicenter, reported building damage and evacuations, but no serious injuries. An aftershock measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale later struck the Kuril Islands at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
The Philippines also issued a tsunami advisory for its Pacific coastlines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that waves of less than one meter were expected in some areas between 1:20 PM and 2:40 PM local time on Wednesday. Citizens were urged to avoid beaches and coastal areas during this period.
Despite the widespread alerts and precautionary evacuations across the Pacific region, INCOIS has made it clear that India remains safe from any tsunami impact resulting from this massive undersea quake.
