Fukushima quake & tsunami

Tsunami advisories were lifted by the JMA effective 12:50 pm local time for Iwate, Ibaraki, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

“Slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but no tsunami damage is expected,” JMA said in a statement. “Pay attention when fishing, swimming or engaging in other marine activities, as there may still be slight sea-level changes.”

At least 297 schools in six Japanese prefectures were closed after the earthquake as authorities went on to issue tsunami warnings and alerts, the Ministry of Education reported. At least 85 schools suspended classes in Fukushima Prefecture. A further 152 schools were closed in Miyagi Prefecture and another 50 schools were shut in Iwate Prefecture. The earthquake affected the work of six schools in Ibaraki Prefecture, three facilities in Akita Prefecture, and one in Aomori Prefecture.

An eighth powerful offshore aftershock measuring 5.1 has been reported by USGS.

At least six people suffered minor injuries during the quake and tsunami, NHK reported.

“Japan’s nuclear power plants have the most strict regulations in the world. We always think of the worst-case scenario … safety is the utmost priority ” Yoshihide Suga, chief cabinet secretary, told reporters as he confirmed the resumption of cooling functions at the Fukushima No. 2 power plant.

In addition to downgrading tsunami warnings to tsunami advisories in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, the JMA also announced that tsunami advisories have been lifted for the Pacific Coast, Kujukuri of Aomori prefectures as well as the Uchibo area of Chiba prefecture and Izu islands.

“A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately,” the advisory states. “Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted.”

According to the latest JMA tsunami forecast, slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but “no tsunami damage is expected.”

Tsunami warnings for the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures have been downgraded by the JMA to alerts, signaling a lower level of risk.

According to the latest reports from Sendai Airport, All Nippon Airways (ANA) went on to cancel 16 flights in the wake of the quake and ongoing tsunami warning. Japan Airlines canceled 10 flights.