ID :
167608
Sat, 03/12/2011 - 07:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/167608
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HAVOC FROM QUAKE AND TSUNAMI BECOMES APPARENT EARLY TODAY
From Yong Soo Heong
TOKYO, March 12 (Bernama) -- At first light today, the terrific havoc caused by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and the subsequent 10-metre high tsunami which hit Japan Friday afternoon became more apparent -- more than 1,000 people are feared to have perished.
The police and local media have begun reporting the devastation in Tohoku or northeastern Japan, with Sendai taking the biggest hit as it is located nearest to the epicentre of the quake which struck at 2.46pm (1.46pm in Malaysia).
TV pictures showed submerged residential areas and farms and vehicles and boats being washed away.
But that is not all. Another strong quake, with a magnitude of 6.7, hit an inland area in the Sea of Japan coast northwest of Tokyo, affecting the Nagano and Niigata prefectures, at 3.59am (2.59am in Malaysia) Saturday.
However, the extent of the damage from the latest earthquake, which occurred away from the one that hit the Pacific coast of Japan yesterday, was not immediately known.
Other than the devastation and rescue efforts, the other immediate concern is the potential radiation leak from nuclear reactors in Fukushima prefecture, about 240km north of here.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian embassy here said it had been in touch with Malaysian citizens and students in the areas hit most hard by the earthquake.
As at 6am (5am in Malaysia), it had contacted 289 Malaysian citizens in the prefectures most affected by the quake and tsunami.
The embassy is also in contact with Malaysians in other parts of Japan less affected by the disasters.
"To date, all of them are safe and there are no reports of Malaysian casualties. The Malaysians in the most-affected areas have also moved to the safe areas designated by the Japanese authorities," the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.
Highways to Narita Airport have been opened partially after they were closed to traffic due to safety considerations. There were concerns that the earthquake might have caused structural damage.
A Malaysia Airlines flight, MH89, originally scheduled to leave at 10.30am (9.30am in Malaysia) Saturday has been retimed to 1.30pm (12.30pm) while Flight MH71, scheduled for 1.30pm Saturday, will leave at 9am (8am) Sunday.
The regular bus services between Narita Airport and Tokyo have yet to resume as of midday Saturday but some hotels have resorted to chartering buses for their guests.
Underground train services are beginning to return to normal on most lines, thus making it more convenient for most of the 12 million residents in Tokyo and those who commute from other cities to move about.
The subway lines were closed for about six hours Friday, leaving millions of commuters stranded during the evening rush hour.
TOKYO, March 12 (Bernama) -- At first light today, the terrific havoc caused by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and the subsequent 10-metre high tsunami which hit Japan Friday afternoon became more apparent -- more than 1,000 people are feared to have perished.
The police and local media have begun reporting the devastation in Tohoku or northeastern Japan, with Sendai taking the biggest hit as it is located nearest to the epicentre of the quake which struck at 2.46pm (1.46pm in Malaysia).
TV pictures showed submerged residential areas and farms and vehicles and boats being washed away.
But that is not all. Another strong quake, with a magnitude of 6.7, hit an inland area in the Sea of Japan coast northwest of Tokyo, affecting the Nagano and Niigata prefectures, at 3.59am (2.59am in Malaysia) Saturday.
However, the extent of the damage from the latest earthquake, which occurred away from the one that hit the Pacific coast of Japan yesterday, was not immediately known.
Other than the devastation and rescue efforts, the other immediate concern is the potential radiation leak from nuclear reactors in Fukushima prefecture, about 240km north of here.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian embassy here said it had been in touch with Malaysian citizens and students in the areas hit most hard by the earthquake.
As at 6am (5am in Malaysia), it had contacted 289 Malaysian citizens in the prefectures most affected by the quake and tsunami.
The embassy is also in contact with Malaysians in other parts of Japan less affected by the disasters.
"To date, all of them are safe and there are no reports of Malaysian casualties. The Malaysians in the most-affected areas have also moved to the safe areas designated by the Japanese authorities," the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.
Highways to Narita Airport have been opened partially after they were closed to traffic due to safety considerations. There were concerns that the earthquake might have caused structural damage.
A Malaysia Airlines flight, MH89, originally scheduled to leave at 10.30am (9.30am in Malaysia) Saturday has been retimed to 1.30pm (12.30pm) while Flight MH71, scheduled for 1.30pm Saturday, will leave at 9am (8am) Sunday.
The regular bus services between Narita Airport and Tokyo have yet to resume as of midday Saturday but some hotels have resorted to chartering buses for their guests.
Underground train services are beginning to return to normal on most lines, thus making it more convenient for most of the 12 million residents in Tokyo and those who commute from other cities to move about.
The subway lines were closed for about six hours Friday, leaving millions of commuters stranded during the evening rush hour.
