WASHINGTON– The Indian Consulate General in San Francisco has issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals across California, other U.S. West Coast states, and Hawaii in response to a powerful 8.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific region.
“The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is monitoring the potential tsunami threat following the recent 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula,” the consulate announced on X (formerly Twitter). “Indian nationals in California, other U.S. West Coast states, and Hawaii are advised to take the following steps.”
The advisory urges Indian citizens to remain alert by closely following guidance from local emergency services and the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers. People in tsunami watch zones were encouraged to avoid coastal areas, move to higher ground if instructed, prepare for emergencies, and ensure mobile devices remain fully charged in case of power or communication outages.
President Donald Trump addressed the situation on his Truth Social platform, confirming the tsunami threat and urging affected residents to stay safe.
“A Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the path. Please visit tsunami.gov for the latest information. Stay strong and stay safe!” Trump posted.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the quake at 8.0 magnitude before upgrading it to 8.7 based on further data. The earthquake struck at 23:24 GMT on Tuesday, with its epicenter located approximately 125 kilometers (78 miles) southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a major city in Russia’s far eastern region.
The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 19.3 kilometers (12 miles), increasing the risk of severe surface-level shaking and generating significant tsunami waves.
In the hours following the quake, tsunami alerts were issued across several parts of the Pacific, with U.S. officials warning that destructive waves could reach coastal regions of Russia and Japan within three hours. Emergency authorities in the region advised residents to evacuate low-lying areas and adhere strictly to official protocols.
Video footage circulating on social media captured intense shaking in the affected areas, while emergency services in Russia and neighboring countries remained on high alert. Aftershocks are expected, and people were urged to remain cautious and follow updates from government agencies. (Source: IANS)
