Tsunamic Warning: Late on Saturday, Mindanao in the southern Philippines experienced a seismic jolt with an earthquake registering at least magnitude 7.5.
Subsequently, evacuation orders were issued for certain areas and the southwestern coasts of Japan. This precautionary measure was prompted by the anticipation of tsunami waves reaching a meter (3 feet) or more.
According to the Philippine Seismology Agency Phivolcs, there is an indication that the waves might reach the Philippines by midnight (1600 GMT) and persist for several hours.
Raymark Gentallan, the police chief in the coastal town of Hinatuan near the earthquake’s epicenter, reported that power has been disrupted since the quake hit. However, as of now, disaster response teams have not detected any casualties or observed damage.
