 "Soon after tsunami warnings were issued for the US West Coast and Hawaii, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco put out an advisory for Indian citizens living in affected regions. Image for Representation. Reuters")
A massive 8.8‑magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunamis as far away as Japan, Hawaii, and the US West Coast.
The tremor, which is now tied as the sixth‑largest earthquake ever recorded, has put coastal communities on high alert and sparked a wave of emergency evacuations.
With a large population of Indian nationals living in Russia, the US and Japan, the disaster has raised concerns about their safety. Not only this, but worries whether India’s own coastlines are also at risk of facing a potential tsunami are present. Here’s what we know
‘Be prepared for an emergency’: Indian embassy in the US
Soon after tsunami warnings were issued for the US West Coast and Hawaii, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco put out an advisory for Indian citizens living in affected regions.
“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. Indian nationals in California, other US West Coast states, and Hawaii are advised to take the following steps
Monitor official alerts from US authorities
Move to higher ground immediately if a tsunami alert is issued
Avoid coastal areas
Be prepared for emergencies and keep devices fully charged,” the advisory read.
An emergency helpline number (+1‑415‑483‑6629) and email support have also been set up to assist Indian nationals in the US.
In the United States, tsunami sirens sounded in Honolulu as waves up to 5 feet high reached Hawaii. Emergency shelters have been opened, and residents in Honolulu have been urged to move to higher ground.
Read latest updates on the tsunami warnings here.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed waves over 4 feet were recorded in Haleiwa, on the north shore of Oahu Island in Hawaii.
Much of the US West Coast, including Canada’s British Columbia, Washington state and California, remains under a tsunami advisory.
India’s Consulate General in Seattle also issued an advisory saying, “National Weather Service USA has issued Tsunami Advisories along parts of the US West Coast, including areas in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Indian citizens in these areas are advised to follow advisories issued by local government authorities and take necessary precautions to ensure safety. In case of any emergency, CGI Seattle may be contacted at Helpline: +1 (206) 608-0608.”
The massive earthquake in Russia has been described as the “strongest in decades” by Russia’s Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 19.3 km, centred 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The agency had initially labelled the earthquake as 8.0 magnitude but revised it later. Strong aftershocks of magnitude 6.9 were also felt in the region. More such are expected.
ALSO READ | Why earthquake in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula is dangerous
Japan urges caution, evacuation near coasts
In Japan, tsunami waves began hitting multiple areas along the country’s eastern coastline, from the northern island of Hokkaido down to large parts of Honshu, including regions close to the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged people living near the coast to act without delay. “Those near the coast should evacuate immediately to higher ground or safe buildings in the areas covered by the tsunami warning from Hokkaido to Wakayama Prefecture. Please be aware that after the initial wave, second and third waves of tsunamis can be even higher,” he said.
So far, waves measuring up to 60 centimetres have been recorded, significantly lower than the earlier prediction of three metres.
More than 1.9 million people across 21 prefectures in Japan are now under evacuation advisories. In Hokkaido, local media reported that some residents had taken shelter on the rooftops of tall buildings to stay out of danger.
As of June 2025, data from the Indian embassy in Tokyo showed that 51,345 Indian nationals reside in Japan.
Tsunami advisories, watches and warnings have also been issued in several other countries around the Pacific, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Taiwan
Are India’s coasts safe?
Amid rising anxiety back home, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has confirmed that India’s coastlines face no risk from the Pacific tsunami triggered by the Russian quake.
“There is no tsunami threat to India or the Indian Ocean region,” INCOIS said in a statement posted on X.
Experts explained that the quake’s epicentre lies deep within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone known for generating most of the world’s strongest earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. While tsunami alerts remain in place for several northern Pacific regions, no evacuation advisories have been issued for any part of India.
INCOIS also confirmed that its Tsunami Early Warning Centre in Hyderabad is operating round the clock and continues to track developments to ensure public safety.
With input from agencies