Tokyo(Japan), 23 August (H.S.):

An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck eastern Japan early Sunday, with tremors felt in Tokyo and several surrounding areas shortly after 2 am. Japan’s weather agency said there was no tsunami threat following the quake.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 70 kilometres in Ibaraki Prefecture. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the quake at magnitude 5.8.

The earthquake struck a day after Tokyo and surrounding areas were battered by torrential rainfall.

According to reports by Japan Today and The Japan News, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage following the earthquake. However, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on X that the government was setting up a task force to assess possible damage caused by the tremors.

Emergency alerts were also sent to mobile phones following the earthquake. Reports said power was disrupted in around 460 homes in Tokyo.

Last month, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto area of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. The disaster reportedly killed 38 people and injured 364 others. More than 1,500 buildings collapsed, while around 20,000 additional structures were damaged.

Meanwhile, Tokyo and neighbouring areas experienced torrential rain on Saturday afternoon, leading to severe waterlogging on several roads, including in Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward. The area recorded rainfall of around 120 millimetres per hour.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued flood warnings and a Level 4 emergency warning for Tokyo and the Kanto region. Several roads were left submerged before the warnings were lifted.

Earlier this month, neighbouring Chiba Prefecture and parts of eastern Japan had also experienced unprecedented rainfall, adding to concerns over severe weather conditions in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar