July 30, 2025 - A massive earthquake, one of the world’s strongest, of magnitude 8.8 hit the Russian coast off Kamchatka Peninsular early today, July 30, morning causing a tsunami in the northern Pacific region. Huge waves have slammed Russia, causing flooding as buildings are being swept away. A state of emergency has been declared in some areas.

Several countries, including California, parts of Alaska, Hawai and other US West Coast states have already issued a tsunami warning. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has issued a potential tsunami threat advisory for Indians living in the area and a helpline number has been released for those needing assistance.

“This will NOT be a single wave. Do NOT try to go to the coast to take photos,” the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area has posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The earthquake was one of the powerful ever and recorded as the sixth-largest, as per the US geological survey. At least four whales washed up along the coast of Japan after the earthquake.

Hawaii is seeing massive evacuation efforts as locals and tourists in Honolulu rush to move to higher authorities. Tsunami warning sirens sounded in the area and major traffic build-up was witnessed as panic-stricken people were trying to evacuate.

Threats of tsunami waves have been flagged for Japan, the Philippines, some Pacific islands, China, Indonesia, Peru and New Zealand as the region braces for violent waves. Washington and Oregon are also on alert for tsunami waves.

With Media Inputs