Japan’s day of terror: Earthquake havoc, tsunamis looming, and nuclear nightmares reawakened

In a shocking turn of events, a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake rattled central Japan on Monday, leaving a trail of devastation, with at least four lives tragically lost. The seismic terror demolished buildings, disrupted power across vast regions, and triggered tsunami warnings along Japan’s west coast and South Korea.

Urgent Evacuations Amid Tsunami Fears:

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued urgent tsunami warnings for Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures. As fear of tsunamis loomed, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for immediate evacuations, emphasizing the critical need to save lives in the chaos.

Widespread Impact and Global Concern:

The earthquake’s fury was felt as far away as Tokyo, 500 km from the epicenter. Over 36,000 households plunged into darkness, telecoms systems failed, and transportation networks, including trains and expressways, were thrown into disarray. The US President, Joe Biden, in a show of solidarity, extended US support to Japan, underscoring the deep friendship between the two nations.

Nuclear Industry on Edge:

In a nation still haunted by the memories of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the earthquake has reignited concerns about Japan’s nuclear industry. However, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no irregularities in the active reactors, including Hokuriku’s Shika nuclear plant.

Heart-Wrenching Scenes of Destruction:

Social media is flooded with harrowing footage: ceilings shaking in a subway station, people running in panic, and grocery store shelves quivering violently. The picturesque city of Wajima bore the brunt, with around 30 structures reduced to rubble.