Japan earthquake and tsunami Situation Report No. 03 12 March 2011 As of 1830 hrs Manila Time SITUATION SUMMARY An 8.8 earthquake occurred at 05.46.23 UTC on 11 Mar 2011 in Japan, hitting the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan. The worst affected area is the east coast of Tohoku Prefecture. Tsunamis have caused devastation in the coastal areas Tohoku and southern Hokkaido. Although wide areas of the Pacific were under tsunami alert, the alerts have now been lifted. Based on official Japanese government figures, 621 people are confirmed dead, 1040 injured with at least 645 missing. Figures are expected to rise. Various media sources are reporting more than 1000 estimated deaths. Both Fukishiima Daiichi and Fukishima Dainii nuclear power plants reported problems with their cooling systems. Both of these plants have now been declared as nuclear emergencies. People living within 10-km radius of these plants have been evacuated. Fires: Miyagi Chiba oil refinery Power outage area No trains operational 6 operational airports Nagano New earthquake epicentre 1759 and 1832 UTC 11/3/2011 Republic of Korea Sendai City Earthquake Epicentre 0546 UTC 11/3/2011 Controlled reactor release underway Tokyo Metropolitan Area Haneda and Narita international airports re-opened Nuclear power stations 1
EVENT INFORMATION UPDATE Two new earthquakes hit inland area northwest of Tokyo: 1) 6.6 in Nagano prefecture and 2) 5.8 in Niigata prefecture; Japan Meteorological Agency issued no tsunami warning. Small aftershocks continue to be reported since the first earthquake. IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH Death Deaths: 621* In addition, 200-300 dead bodies found in Sendai City Injured Injured: 1040 Missing Missing: at least 645 Evacuation * Numbers are expected to rise 51,207 in Fukushima area IMPACT on HEALTH SERVICES Hospitals 145 of the 170 hospitals designated for acute disaster emergencies are fully operational in Tokyo and Tohoku; 2 of 7 hospitals in Sendai, however, are not operational. OTHER ISSUES WITH HEALTH IMPLICATIONS Nuclear Facilities Affected in Fukushima Ten out of 13 nuclear reactors in Miyagi and Fukushima automatically shut down in three power plants (Onogawa, Fukishima Daiichi and Fukishima Daini). The automatic shut down went as planned for the Onogawa plant. In the Fukishima Daini, the coolant system did not function properly but the water levels are being maintained. The Fukishima Daiichi number one unit could not maintain the level of coolant needed to adequately cool the core and the water levels are falling. The pressure within the reactor subsequently increased and the efforts to release the pressure were not successful. Radioactivity was detected in Fukishima Daiichi. Explosion and white smoke have been reported at Daiichi (Reactor No.1). All persons within the 10-km radius for both Daiichi and Daini plants have been advised to evacuate. 2
TSUNAMI UPDATE As of 0425 hrs (Manila time), small tsunami waves hit the Philippines and Indonesia's eastern coastline without causing any damage. Waves of up to 2 meters have been seen in Hawaii. Officials say there are signs of scattered damage among the islands but major damage is not expected. 1 death in the U.S. West Coast Tsunami. Countries and Areas tsunami update 12 March 2011 @ 1400 hrs Manila time. Countries and Areas Expected time of tsunami ( Manila time) 11 March Reported Damage 1 Japan 14.35 17.12 Massive damage Lifted 2 American Samoa 22.53 No; 0.4-0.5m wave Lifted 3 Australia 23.35-02.45 No Lifted 4 Cook Islands No Lifted 5 Fiji 23.38 No; 0.2m wave Lifted 6 French Polynesia No Lifted 7 Guam 17.32 No Lifted 8 Kiribati 20.38 No Lifted 9 Marshall Islands No Lifted 10 Micronesia, Federated States ( Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap) 17.44 18.27 No Yap 0.15m wave Status of tsunami alert Lifted 11 Nauru 19.49 No; 0.2m wave Lifted 12 New Caledonia 23.31 - Lifted 13 New Zealand 01.10 (12 March) No Lifted 14 Niue 23.26 No Lifted 15 Northern Mariana 16.53 No Lifted Islands, Commonwealth of the 16 Palau 22.30 No Lifted 17 Papua New Guinea 19.24-22.29 Reports of significant damage Lifted to Wewak hospital team communicated with WR-PNG 18 Philippines 17.55-18.53 No; Legaspi 0.25m wave Lifted 19 Pitcairn Islands - Lifted 20 Samoa 22.53 0.66m Lifted 21 Solomon Islands 20.21 No Lifted 22 Taiwan, China 17.32 No Lifted 23 Tokelau No Lifted 24 Tonga 23.00 Nil significant Lifted 25 Tuvalu 21.30 No Lifted 26 Vanuatu 22.16-23.11 No; 0.69m wave Lifted * Indonesia 0.5 m were detected in NE no report of damage. Information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center: at 0436Z 12 March 2011 For countries in the Region, a tsunami warning is in effect for Japan. 3
RESPONSE National National emergency management committee, led by the Prime Minister, has been established to oversee and coordinate all response activities. All relevant ministries and agencies such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Land and Transportation and Ministry of Health have been involved in the response. The nuclear disaster response committee has been activated. A state of emergency has been declared. All prefectures have also activated local government response. Police and Fire Department o Police helicopters deployed to Miyagi and Iwate for support o Assisting through deployment of response teams via helicopters and ships Transportation o Site assessments throughout the Tohoku and Kanto regions Coast Guard o Coordinating evacuation and alerts services o Alerts to potential radiation exposure in Fukushima nuclear plant Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare o Activities coordinated through DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) Responding: 8 teams Deployed: 139 teams Standby: 170 teams o Preparing deployment of vehicles for provision of water to affected areas Ministry of Forests and Waters and Ministry of Finance o Provision of rice, foods, and water o Deployment of 5000 portable latrines o Provision of blankets, radios, gasoline, flashlights, dry ice, and other essentials being prepared Japan is conducting a massive rescue and relief effort. Naval destroyers and other ships have been sent to devastated areas of Honshu Island; air force fighter jets currently flying reconnaissance missions. Army helicopters were sent to rescue hundreds of people stranded at an elementary school in Watari, Miyagi prefecture. Self Defense Force team arrived on the ground at Fukushima's Daiichi nuclear power plant site. International More than 50 countries/areas have offered support. The regional office of UN OCHA is on standby and is on regular communication with country offices and issuing regular updates. 4
World Health Organization-Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO-WPRO) The Event Management Group has been activated to monitor and alert others with regard to the evolving situation, as well as to communicate and coordinate the response efforts. The WPRO Situation Room is currently operational. WPRO has been in contact with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The National IHR Focal Point has been designated by Japan to communicate with WHO on the event. WPRO has been communicating with its country offices, headquarters and other relevant offices to monitor the situation and prepare for possible WHO support for response. WPRO/ENH (Environmental Health) has joined the Event Management Group to advise, assess and monitor the situation related to nuclear power plants, Regular situation reports (WHO internal) are being produced and distributed to relevant offices and staff. Regular situation updates are also available on the WPRO website. WPRO is currently on standby to provide necessary support to affected countries. Some partner agencies have expressed material and human resources support to WHO for the emergency response efforts. SOURCES: National Disaster Center of Japan UN-OCHA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center CONTACTS WPRO Situation Room: Telephone: + 63 528 9035 + 63 528 9650 + 63 528 9249 + 63 528 9341 Email: sitroom@wpro.who.int For further information please contact: Dr. Takeshi Kasai Tel: (+63-918) 9214217 Dr. Art Pesigan Tel: (+63-918) 9178053 Dr. Li Ailan Tel: (+63-908) 8920514 5