Japan Shakes

March 9, Japan rocks to a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

Not much damage done to a country well prepared for occasional shakes of the earth.

Then comes March 11, 1.46pm (SG time). The 5th largest earthquake ever recorded in human history at 8.9 magnitude shook the whole of Japan (and the world) into a frenzy.

And I was Whatapp-ing RR couple of hours before about her friend going to Japan end Mar and that I had leave to clear but nowhere to go.

Immediate tsunami warnings were issued to coastal areas of Japan and countries around the Pacific Ring of Fire.

A frenzy of news followed.
Narita and Haneda airport suspends flight operations.
Railway services suspended.
Sendai airport and a few coastal towns were washed away by the onset tsunami.
Cosmo oil refinery in Chiba on fire.
Millions were left without electricity and water.
Emergency shelters were opened for refugee use.

As if the Great Hanshin Earthquake + 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami re-enactment wasn't enough, a potential Chernobyl attempts to continue the nightmare.
A nuclear power plant (Fukushima I) failed to shut down properly.
Japan declared its first State of Emergency.
Japan starts evacuation efforts around the nuclear power plant.
Feared radiation leak. Reactor unable to cool down. Evacuation expands to 20km surrounding the plant.
Death toll keeps rising as rescuers struggled to reach the victims amidst the tides and aftershocks.
A large explosion at Fukushima I plant on 12 March at 2:36 pm (SG time).


Numerous aftershocks that can hold their own name as earthquakes continued to rattle Japan.

First few detected contamination near nuke plant. report

And the news goes on.. See updates at
Reuters
Yahoo News

Google activated their People Finder as of March 11, 5.30pm (SG time) to aid in calming the nerves.

Twitter has changed the way the world communicates. Updates on Twitter is faster than anything else!

My heart goes all the way out to them after seeing all the pictures and reports and also upon hearing that the supermarts/retailer chains are actually handing out essential necessities like food and hp batteries free. No looting events were great enough to make the news, or if there is any at all, and everyone is simply helping each other overcome the disaster.

To aid in the rescue efforts, here's the list of humanity groups that are working hard on site at the moment and which you may contribute with a click of a mouse from home. I made one to Red Cross thru Amazon as Red Cross keeps rejecting my cards. I would have much wanted to contribute direct to Red Cross Japan but seems like the lines are down. Will definitely go over to boost their economy when things are up.

希望日本能像不倒玩偶般, 不管被搖得多晃, 人心依然屹立不倒, 依然能振作起來.

And I hope none of the actors/actresses, mangakas, seiyuus, etc are caught in the mess. Check In site

*Sidenote: Have monotoned the blog colors in mourning for the impact of this catastrophe. Shall stay till Japan is back on her feet.

*Update 13 March 7.56pm.
Twitter translated by Jun Shiomitsu
I'm on the verge of tears.. The Japanese spirit should be humanity's example~

*Update 14 March 11.50pm.
Depressing summary in photos
O.M.G...

*Update 15 March 12.03am.
Touching story
*sniffles*