Tsunami In Japan After Earthquake

An earthquake measuring a mind-boggling 8.9 on the Richter scale struck mid-ocean at a depth of 24.4km, 130km off Honshu island, Japan, at 05:46 GMT. The earthquake triggered a 13-meter high tsunami wave train off the coast of Miyagi that swept away everything in its path.

Tsunami warnings have been issued in Philippines, Taiwan, Guam, Russia, New
Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Northern Marianas and some islands in the Pacific. Around 11,000 Russians have been evacuated, and the residents of Philippines have been warned to move to safer grounds.

The tsunami waves are expected to reach the eastern coast of Taiwan at 5:30pm local time, and the north-eastern port of Keelung is expected to be hit by 6:00pm.

Japan Meteorological Agency said that the quake measured at 7.9, but the US
Geological Survey later clarified that the quake stood at 8.9 on the Richter scale. This is the 5th biggest quake in history, and is an all-time high for the seismically active region of Japan, which accounts for more than 20% of the world's 6.0 and higher quakes.

An aftershock registering above 7 was felt 30 minutes after the initial quake.

Japanese broadcasters are airing the images of the giant waves engulfing the region's buildings, submerged trucks and cars, ships shattering against harbor walls, and boats & debris carried by forceful waves hitting against a bridge.

The tsunami-hit regions are now experiencing an electricity and communications blackout, and thus the authorities are unable to make an estimate of casualties. However, AP reports that the Japanese government has officially reported 5 dead.

Kyoto, a Japanese news agency, reports that 14 buildings in Tokyo have erupted into flames.

Narita International Airport has been shut down. The country's nuclear plants have also been closed down as a precautionary measure. The sensex fell by over 200 points after the disaster struck.