Tsunami alert after Sumatra's strong earthquake

Published :  The Star Wednesday April 7, 2010 MYT 8:26:00 AM


KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a tsunami warning to coastal areas of Perlis, Penang and Kedah following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that hit North Sumatra, 448km southwest of Pangkor Island.

Tremors were felt in the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia.

The department has warned people to keep away from the beach.

The Associated Press quoted the US Geological Survey saying that the quake struck at 5.15am (2215 GMT) and was centred 205km northwest of Sibolga in Sumatra at a depth of 46km.

The Indonesia Meteorology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning following the quake, but lifted it two hours later.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Honolulu also issued a tsunami watch. The centre said no tsunami threat existed for other coastal areas in the Indian Ocean, although some areas could experience small sea level changes and strong or unusual coastal currents.

Fauzi, an official at the meteorology agency’s Jakarta office who uses a single name, said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties but officials were monitoring the situation.

Local media reports said the quake, which struck as people in the region were preparing for morning prayers, caused panic in North Sumatra’s capital of Medan and other cities in the province. Electricity was cut in Medan.

People in some cities along the southeastern coast of Sumatra as well as Sinabang on Simeulue island and Gunung Sitoli on nearby Nias island poured into the streets and rushed to higher ground, reports said.