In case of an incoming tsunami, coastal residents should “go higher, go inland, seek sturdy shelter and hold on tight,” according to guidance issued by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) earlier this month.
The agency issued a tsunami watch this morning after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
Initial assessments indicated tsunamis could hit Taiwan by 1:18pm this afternoon and persist for several hours, the CWA said.
Photo: Tsai Tsung-hsien, Taipei Times
Given the varied and largely unknown underwater terrain surrounding Taiwan, wave heights may differ by location, making precise predictions difficult, it said.
The CWA on July 4 said that tsunami alerts may be issued by television, radio or cell phone broadcasts.
In the case of a tsunami alert, “immediately move to higher ground, move inland, seek sturdy shelter and hold on tight,” the CWA said.
To find higher ground, move to a higher floor or hillside that is at least 10m above sea level and wait for the alert to be lifted, it said.
If there is no higher ground around, move inland and as far from the coastline as possible, it said.
The CWA advised against driving short distances, as traffic jams could hinder evacuation and cause vehicles and people to be swept away.
If it is impossible to move to higher ground or go inland, the agency advised seeking shelter in a sturdy building and opening all doors and windows to reduce the impact of the tsunami on the building.
If swept away by the tsunami, grab onto any large floating objects nearby or climb onto something fixed in place to wait for rescue, it said.
The CWA warned not to return to the coast after the first wave, as there could be second or third waves that come minutes or even hours later.
People should pay attention to the CWA’s tsunami information and wait for the warning or alert to be lifted before returning, it added.
The agency also reminded people not to enter damaged buildings after seawater recedes, as they could collapse and cause injury.
People should evacuate quickly and prioritize their own safety after receiving a tsunami alert, and avoid going to the shore or returning home to collect their belongings, the CWA said.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued a "tsunami watch" alert after a magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in northeastern Russia earlier in the morning. The quake struck off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula at 7:25am (Taiwan time) at a depth of about 19km, the CWA said, citing figures from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The CWA's Seismological Center said preliminary assessments indicate that a tsunami could reach Taiwan's coastal areas by 1:18pm today. The CWA urged residents along the coast to stay alert and take necessary precautions as waves as high as 1m could hit the southeastern
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