Indonesia earthquake: Tsunami watch in effect for Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka

An 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Wednesday, sending residents around the region dashing out of their homes and offices in fear.

US seismologists issued an Indian Ocean-wide tsunami watch but said it appeared to have only generated small waves. Victor Sardina, a geophysicist with the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii, told AFP the first tsunami was “not anywhere near” as large as the devastating waves that struck Asia in 2004 and Japan last year.

He said the tsunami measured a mere 35 centimeters (14 inches) near Padang, Indonesia, but could swell to as high as a meter (3 feet 4 inches) near Sri Lanka, adding that US scientists were still carefully monitoring the situation.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a  tsunami watch was also in effect for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa and other countries.

Read more: The Express Tribune

Posted in: Calamities, Earthquake, India, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Pakistan, sri Lanka, Tsunami