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Tsunami Waves Strike Russia and Japan Following Powerful Earthquake; Fukushima Plant Evacuated

Kamchatka: Powerful tsunami waves struck coastal areas of Russia and Japan after a massive earthquake occurred off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Kamchatka's regional minister for emergency situations, Sergei Lebedev, stated that tsunami waves measuring between 3 to 4 meters in height were recorded in parts of the peninsula following the quake.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Geophysical Survey of Russia Academy of Sciences revised the earthquake's magnitude to 8.7, up from the initial estimate of 8.0, noting it was the strongest earthquake recorded in the region since 1952. Russian seismologists warned that powerful aftershocks, some potentially reaching a magnitude of 7.5, could continue for up to a month.

In Japan, a tsunami triggered by the same quake reached the northern island of Hokkaido, with waves measuring 30 centimeters, according to public broadcaster NHK. Authorities cautioned that higher waves could follow, with the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasting tsunami waves of up to 3 meters along the country's northern and eastern coastlines, potentially extending as far south as Osaka.

As a precaution, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) evacuated all workers from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in eastern Japan. The facility, which suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 2011, remains decommissioned. TEPCO confirmed that no abnormalities have been detected at the site following the evacuation.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the Indonesian Agency for Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics issued a tsunami warning, predicting waves of less than half a meter in height could impact several regions later in the day. Areas potentially affected include parts of Papua, North Maluku, and Gorontalo provinces.

Authorities across the affected regions continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to remain alert and follow official guidance.