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Japan cancels tsunami evacuation | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Tsunami evacuation orders have been lifted for thousands of people in Japan, following a powerful undersea earthquake in the Pacific Ocean. | |
The national meteorological agency had warned that a tsunami up to 1m (3ft) in height could hit coastal areas. | |
Small waves reached the north-eastern coast of Hokkaido Island at 1452 (0552 GMT), about 90 minutes after the quake which had a magnitude of 8.2. | |
Advisory orders are still in effect in some areas of the island. | |
Meteorologists had warned of a tsunami up to 1m (3ft) in height from 1400 local time. | |
However, as the appointed time passed, most areas said there had been no visible changes to the sea level. | However, as the appointed time passed, most areas said there had been no visible changes to the sea level. |
Downgraded | |
The quake struck at 1324 (0424 GMT) near the Kuril Trench which lies between northern Japan and Russia, the meteorological agency said. | |
Officials in towns along Japan's Pacific coast issued evacuation orders to flee to higher ground, reports said. | Officials in towns along Japan's Pacific coast issued evacuation orders to flee to higher ground, reports said. |
The agency downgraded the warnings to advisories, which were later cancelled for the north-western coast of Hokkaido, prompting some municipalities to lift evacuation orders. | |
Advisories in other parts of Hokkaido and towns facing the Pacific coast are still in effect, reports say. | |
The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Russia, Japan and Markus Island in the Pacific Ocean. | The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Russia, Japan and Markus Island in the Pacific Ocean. |
Hawaii, Taiwan and the Philippines were among a host of Pacific territories put on tsunami watch, a lower level of alert. | Hawaii, Taiwan and the Philippines were among a host of Pacific territories put on tsunami watch, a lower level of alert. |