Philippines warned to prepare for Japan's tsunami

Phivolcs warns 19 provinces for possible one-meter tsunami

Batanes Group of Islands and 18 other locations warned about possibility of tsunami

After the 8.8 magnitude quake in Japan followed by a tsunami, Philippines alerts key locations in the country that may be hit following the calamity in the foreign country. The tsunami which will hit 19 provinces has been elevated to level alert 2 with an estimated arrival time between 5pm to 7pm. The 19 areas as predicted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the National Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council are:

Batanes Group of Islands

Ilocos Norte

Isabela

Cagayan

Aurora

Quezon

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Sorsogon

Catanduanes

Albay

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Eastern Samar

Northern Samar

Davao Oriental

Davao del Sur

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

The tsunami is expected to reach one-meter or reaching an average person’s shoulder and is bound to continue for hours even with their small size in comparison to the one that struck Japan, according to PHILVOLCS Tsunami Warning System. According to Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum, the tsunami wave models and tide gauge records show that the calamity will affect the provinces fronting the Pacific Ocean. The tsunami in Japan reached 23 feet or 7 meters, roughly equal to the combined height of 7 people.

Residents in the said area are advised to evacuate for higher land in order to avoid injuries or fatality connected to the tsunami. Boats that have already sailed are advised to go to deep waters while those still at the harbor should be secured at once.

Neighboring countries are also on high alert for any signs of tsunami within their borders. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Japan is of a size that could affect nearby coastlines within minutes while faraway ones could be hit after several hours.

Evacuations in affected areas are proceeding while the Department of Health is on the alert should there be any injuries.

Photo courtesy of healthcarendiet