An 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Kamchatka, Russia, Triggering 13-Foot Tsunami Waves. Japan and the US Issue Alerts. INCOIS Denies Tsunami Threat in India.
Russia Earthquake: An earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale has been recorded in the Kamchatka Peninsula, a far eastern region of Russia. The earthquake occurred approximately 119 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of only 19 kilometers below the sea, making its impact extremely severe. Following the earthquake, tsunami waves of approximately 4 meters (13 feet) high struck the area, causing devastation in nearby coastal regions.
Buildings Damaged, Several Injured
The tremors from the earthquake caused cracks in several buildings. There are reports of walls collapsing in a kindergarten. Some people were injured after falling while running, while a woman was injured at the new airport terminal. At the Severo-Kurilsk port, waves of 10 to 13 feet caused destruction, and a fish processing plant was flooded. However, most structures withstood the devastation.
Governor Says - Biggest Earthquake in Decades
The Governor of Kamchatka, Vladimir Solodov, described the event as the most powerful earthquake in decades. According to geophysical experts, this is the largest earthquake since 1952.
Alert Issued to Coastal Countries in the Pacific Region
This area falls under the 'Ring of Fire,' which is known for volcanoes and earthquakes. After the earthquake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued an alert stating that waves over 3 meters high could occur in some coastal areas of Russia, Hawaii, and Ecuador. Countries like Japan, Chile, and the Solomon Islands are at risk of waves between 1 and 3 meters high.
Rapid Evacuation Operation in Japan
Having experienced the devastating tsunami of 2011, Japan did not take any chances this time. The Japanese government immediately ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents from the eastern coast to safer locations. Employees were evacuated from the Fukushima nuclear plant. However, no major damage has been reported in Japan so far. Nissan Motors has suspended operations at some of its plants.
America Also Issues High Alert
In the Hawaiian Islands of the United States, people in coastal areas were advised to move to higher ground or the upper floors of buildings. The US Coast Guard has ordered ships to leave the ports. President Donald Trump also shared the alert on social media and appealed to people to remain vigilant.
The Threat of Aftershocks Remains for Russia
The Russian Academy of Sciences has said that more aftershocks are likely in the near future. However, they also clarified that the probability of a more intense shock is low. Since the epicenter of the earthquake was in the sea, the risk of a tsunami has naturally increased.
No Threat to India: INCOIS
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has clarified that there is no tsunami threat to India and the Indian Ocean region. INCOIS reported that the earthquake was recorded at 4:54 AM IST on July 30, 2025. Since its epicenter was quite far from India, in the north of the Pacific Ocean, it will have no impact on the Indian coastal areas.
Message Shared on Social Media
INCOIS said on the social media platform X, "There is no tsunami threat to India and the Indian Ocean." They also stated that no evacuation or warning is required in the Indian coastal areas.
