Tsunami alert up over 19 PHL provinces after Japan quake

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Tsunami Alert Level 2, warning of possible waves reaching Philippine shores between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The Phivolcs advised the public to be on alert for unusual waves, which may be as high as one meter.

Malacañang on Friday ordered the mandatory evacuation of the residents living 10 to 40 meters from the shoreline of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos, Isabela and 15 other provinces.

At a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said based on the alert level 2 raised by the Phivolcs, a four-meter high tsunami is expected to hit the 19 provinces around 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.

He said alert level 2 means a mandatory evacuation of the residents near the shoreline.

Lacierda said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is urging all the affected residents to cooperate with authorities for their own safety.

"Mahalaga po ito, nakikiusap kami sa mga kababayan na lumikas na. May sapat pa pong panahon all the local government officials have been notified," he said. He added Aquino has been receiving updates from the authorities here in the country. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at 1:46 p.m. near the east coast of Honshu, Japan.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview on dzBB radio the areas in the eastern coastline include:

·  Batanes Islands

·  Cagayan

·  Ilocos Norte

·  Isabela

·  Quezon

·  Aurora

·  Camarines Norte

·  Camarines Sur

·  Albay

·  Catanduanes

·  Sorsogon

·  Northern Samar

·  Eastern Samar

·  Leyte

·  Northern Leyte

·  Surigao del Norte

·  Surigao del Sur

·  Davao Oriental

·  Davao del Sur

Biggest quake in seven years

The USGS estimated the epicenter at 130 kilometers (km) east of Sendai, Honshu; 178 km east of Yamagata, Honshu; 178 km east-northeast of Fukushima, Honshu; or 373 km northeast of Tokyo.

According to a report of Reuters, the USGS said the quake struck off-shore 81 miles (130 kms) east of Sendai in Honshu at a depth of 15.2 miles (24 kms).

The USGS earlier reported a 7.9 magnitude for the quake. However, the USGS revised its report to state that it was a magnitude-8.9 quake.

WHAT IS A TSUNAMI?

A Tsunami is a series of sea waves commonly generated by under-the-sea earthquakes and whose heights could be greater than 5 meters.

It is erroneously called a tidal wave and sometimes mistakenly associated with storm surges.

Tsunamis can occur when the earthquake is shallow-seated and strong enough to displace parts of the seabed and disturb the mass of water over it.

Natural signs of an approaching tsunami:

1. A felt earthquake;
2. Unusual sea level change: Sudden sea water retreat or rise;
3. Rumbling sound of approaching waves.

Source: Phivolcs website

The massive earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, causing "many injuries," at least one fire and triggering a four-meter (13-ft) tsunami, NHK television and witnesses reported.

There was also a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, Japan's biggest in seven years.

No evacuation

"Walang evacuation order pero dapat maghanda ang komunidad sa eastern coastline ng ating bansa at maghintay ng additional information kung sakaling magkakaroon ng evacuation," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio.

(While there is no evacuation order, the communities in those areas should watch out and wait for additional information in case an evacuation is needed.) He said the alert level also stemmed from a similar alert from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

"Ito pwedeng malaki at may pwersa (Such waves can be very big and powerful)," Solidum said, adding such waves may continue for hours. He advised people to stay away from the shorelines, and not go to the coast to watch the tsunami.

People in coastal areas should also go further inland, he added."Huwag maging usyoso pagpunta sa dalampasigan (Do not go to the shore to watch the waves)," he said.

Earlier, Solidum also said residents with boats should secure the vessels in preparation for the waves.

Warning for fishermen

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council warned fishermen against going out to sea at this time.

"Ang mangingisda bantayan nila ito (Fishermen should be on alert)," NDRRMC head Benito Ramos said in a separate interview on dzBB.

Ramos also said the Philippine Coast Guard has been placed on alert.— with Amita Legaspi, LBG/VVP/TJD, GMA News