Following a powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia, tsunami alerts have been issued for Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast, parts of Alaska, Japan and other Pacific regions. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco is closely monitoring the situation and has released an advisory for Indian nationals in the affected areas.

Current Alerts and Warnings

• Hawaii: A tsunami warning was issued for the state of Hawaii, with the first waves expected to arrive around 7:17 p.m. Hawaiian Time. Residents in coastal areas and low-lying regions were urged to evacuate to higher ground.
• U.S. West Coast: A tsunami watch was initially issued for the entire U.S. West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington. The alert was later upgraded to a tsunami advisory for the entire West Coast, including Washington and Oregon. This means strong currents and dangerous waves are expected, and people should stay off beaches and waterways.
• Alaska: A tsunami warning is in effect for parts of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, including Atka, Adak, St. Paul and St. George. Residents in these areas have been advised to evacuate inland or to higher ground.
• Other Regions: Tsunami warnings and advisories have also been issued for Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Guam, and parts of British Columbia, Russia and Indonesia.

Advisory for Indian Nationals

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has issued an advisory, urging Indian citizens in California, other U.S. West Coast states, and Hawaii to take the following precautions:

• Monitor Official Alerts: Stay informed by closely following alerts and updates from U.S. authorities, including emergency management agencies and the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.
• Move to Higher Ground: If a tsunami alert is issued, immediately move to higher ground. In Honolulu, officials recommended seeking shelter in a building of at least 10 stories and getting to the fourth floor or above.
• Avoid Coastal Areas: Stay away from beaches and coastal regions.
• Prepare for Emergencies: Be prepared for potential emergencies, and ensure that mobile devices are fully charged.
• Seek Assistance: The Indian consulate in San Francisco has provided a helpline number for Indian nationals requiring assistance: +1-415-483-6629.

Tsunami Safety Guidelines

• Understand Alert Levels: Familiarize yourself with the different levels of tsunami alerts: a watch indicates a potential for a tsunami, an advisory means dangerous waves are expected, and a warning signifies that widespread inundation is likely.
• Evacuate Immediately: If you are in a designated inundation zone and a tsunami warning is issued, evacuate to higher ground as quickly as possible.
• Heed Local Authorities: Follow the instructions and guidance provided by local emergency management officials.
• Stay Informed: Monitor news and weather updates through reliable sources such as local TV and radio stations, and official social media accounts.
• Be Aware of Aftershocks: Be aware that aftershocks can occur following a major earthquake, potentially generating additional tsunami waves.
• Tsunamis Can Come Repeatedly: Tsunami waves can come repeatedly, and often the second wave of a tsunami is higher than the first, so evacuation should continue until the tsunami warning is taken down.

The earthquake, initially reported as magnitude 8.0, was later upgraded to 8.7 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is monitoring the situation and providing updates as they become available. Residents in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.