YELLOW ALERT – A Tsunami Watch is enforced for CHOISEUL, WESTERN and ISABEL PROVINCES. These provinces expect dangerous rips and currents for the remaining provinces.
Solomon Islands Meteorology Office has issued its second ‘Tsunami Watch’ alert at 5pm, Wednesday.
Other provinces including Honiara have been advised to be prepared.
Solomon Islands is expected to experience unusual waves as of this evening 7pm Wednesday.
The first tsunami advisory was issued at 1:15pm Wednesday.
Following an earthquake off Russia most Pacific countries including Solomon Islands have been warned.
The magnitude 8.7 earthquake which occurred off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia is now being declared the largest this year.
Solomon Islands Meteorology Office in a Tsunami Watch number one issued at 1:30pm Wednesday afternoon said, based on the initial threat assessment, there is a potential for a tsunami.
A yellow alert has been issued and a tsunami watch is enforced for Solomon Islands.
The public have been advised to prepare to act and stay away from coastal areas.
The Yellow alert means ‘Beware’ the statement said.
Alex Rilifia from the Solomon Islands Meteorology Office via his Facebook page also has advised the public that their team is assessing tsunami threat.
“This is a distant tsunami meaning it takes sometime before it reaches us, so stay updated,” he said.
According to the Western Pacific Weather Office this earthquake has has surpassed the M7.7 Myanmar earthquake last March.
It is also the second-largest earthquake in the history of Russia — behind the M9.0 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake in 1952, the largest worldwide this year, and the largest since the M9.1 Tohoku, Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Following the quake a 13 feet or four metre tsunami has hit parts of Eastern Russia.
Japan was also hit by tsunami with damages to properties located at the coast.
“This is a precautionary alert. Current information suggests the possibility of a tsunami being generated. We urge the public, especially those living in low-lying coastal areas, to remain on high alert,” SIMS said in a public statement.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the National Disaster Council are coordinating closely with SIMS to monitor the situation and issue further warnings if necessary.
Residents in coastal regions are strongly advised to stay away from shorelines, rivers, and low-lying areas until the watch is lifted. The public is encouraged to stay tuned to official radio broadcasts and media updates for the latest information.
SIMS emphasized that this is currently a Tsunami Watch and not a confirmed tsunami warning. The alert level may change as more seismic data becomes available.
By Ulutah Gina
Solomon Star, Gizo
