A major tsunami is not expected to hit Japan and Hawaii following the arrival of initial waves triggered by a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake off struck Russia’s Far East on Tuesday, sending waves across the Pacific Ocean. While no major damage has been reported in both places, authorities have urged caution and advised residents and visitors to avoid shorelines until an all-clear is issued.In its latest update, the US National Weather Service-run centre said that “based on all available data,” a large-scale tsunami was unlikely. However, it cautioned that coastal areas could still pose risks to swimmers, boaters, and those near the shore.Japan’s Meteorological Agency downgraded its tsunami alert to an advisory in the Pacific coast south of Fukushima, with the alert still in place further north.Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency confirmed that evacuation orders had been lifted and no significant damage had been reported. At 10:39 pm local time, the National Weather Service downgraded Hawaii’s tsunami warning to an advisory. “The worst part of it is over,” said Charles “Chip” McCreery, Director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, as per CNN. The only remaining tsunami warning in the US is currently in place for Northern California.High waves hit the coast of Hokkaido in Japan after a major earthquake struck eastern Russia. Japan’s weather agency said it expected tsunami waves of up to 10 feet to reach parts of the coast https://t.co/uZy2bkYyKW pic.twitter.com/XOndE7xwDE— Reuters (@Reuters) July 30, 2025Situation in JapanAccording to government officials, as reported by NHK world, more than two million people in 229 municipalities in Japan have been urged to evacuate as of 5 pm local time. Authorities have been calling on people to stay away from the sea and move to higher grounds.Footage shared by Reuters and Nippon News Network showed residents taking refuge on rooftops in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.Train and air travel across the island country were disrupted following the tsunami warning, with major commuter lines like the Tokaido Line, Yokosuka Line, and Shonan-Shinjuku Line affected in the greater Tokyo area and beyond. In the northeast, Sendai Airport temporarily closed its runways, suspending all flights in and out of the region, while airlines urged passengers to monitor their websites for updates. TV monitors show news flash after a powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East prompted tsunami warnings in parts of Japan, in Osaka, western Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Kai Naito/Kyodo News via AP)Situation in HawaiiThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said tsunami waves as high as five feet struck parts of Hawaii, including a wave of over five feet that hit Kahului on Maui’s north-central shore.According to officials, the first tsunami waves reached Hawaii around 1:17 am local time Wednesday, with local emergency services issuing alerts urging immediate action. “Take Action NOW! Tsunami waves are currently impacting Hawai‘i,” the O‘ahu Department of Emergency Services posted at 2:15 am local time.Story continues below this adAlthough the initial waves were relatively small, they coincided with high tide and caused flooding in several coastal zones, reported CNN. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that tsunami waves reached 4.9 feet above normal sea levels at the Hilo gauge in Hawaii, while the Kahului gauge in Maui measured waves at 4 feet. Ewa Beach residents evacuated to the side of Kunia Road to escape the tsunami threat in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP photo/Michelle Bir)Still, caution is being urged. “Watch for floodwaters … do an assessment and check your structures and your homes,” said James Barros, administrator of the Hawaii EMA. Barros also warned residents returning home to stay away from the coast. “The advisory still means that there’s energy in the water … stay off the beach and stay out of the water,” he said.Hawaiian Airlines resumed operations after airports reopened, while Alaska Airlines announced it would restart flights Wednesday morning. All flights in and out of Maui were cancelled overnight, leaving about 200 people sheltering in the airport terminal, Governor Josh Green said.What’s next?Although the threat level in Hawaii and Japan has decreased, experts continue to monitor the situation. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is assessing real-time data and will issue an all-clear once they confirm there is no further danger.Until then, officials warn the public to remain cautious.Story continues below this adThe quake’s epicenter was near Russia’s remote Severo-Kurilsk district, where tsunami waves battered the coast. A state of emergency was declared in the area after waves tore boats from moorings and swept away storage containers, according to Russia’s state media TASS.Videos from the scene showed destruction along the shoreline, although reports of casualties remain unclear.The seismic event triggered alerts across the Pacific. The Philippines, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Panama all issued tsunami warnings, advisories, or watches, depending on their proximity and coastal conditions.Governments across Asia and Latin America moved quickly to warn citizens, evacuate vulnerable zones, and initiate precautionary protocols.