What is the Nankai Trough megaquake, the disaster warned by the 'New Baba Vanga' and how Japan is bracing for it?
Worst-Case Scenario: 298,000 Deaths, Millions of Buildings Destroyed
Live Events
How Japan is Preparing for the Megaquake
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Japan's government has formally approved a new disaster preparedness plan to brace for a catastrophic earthquake expected to strike along the Nankai Trough — a massive fault line off the country's Pacific coast. The decision was taken during a recent meeting of the Central Disaster Management Council at the Prime Minister's official residence, according to NHK.What's drawing even more public attention is a chilling prophecy by Ryo Tatsuki, a Japanese manga artist often referred to as the 'New Baba Vanga.' In her published predictions, Tatsuki warned that a giant seabed crack would open between Japan and the Philippines, unleashing an earthquake followed by tsunami waves 'three times taller' than those seen in the devastating 2011 Tohoku disaster.The Nankai Trough megaquake refers to massive earthquakes that occur along the Nankai megathrust — the fault line marking the boundary between the subducting Philippine Sea Plate and the overriding Amurian Plate (part of the Eurasian Plate) beneath southwestern Japan.These quakes typically occur every 90–200 years and often strike in pairs. Notable historical examples include the 1854 Ansei-Tokai and Ansei-Nankai earthquakes (which struck one day apart), as well as the 1944 Tonankai and 1946 Nankaido quakes. At least 12 major events have been recorded in the last 1,300 years.According to a government estimate released in March, a worst-case Nankai Trough earthquake could kill up to 298,000 people and destroy 2.35 million buildings.Japan's new basic disaster plan — which updates a 2014 version — aims to reduce potential deaths by 80% and cut structural damage by 50% over the next decade. Despite falling short of these goals in the past, the government has opted to retain the targets, citing the importance of setting high standards when lives are at stake.Reinforce Housing: All homes in high-risk zones will be made earthquake-resistant.Evacuation Shelters: The government will improve shelters, especially in coastal regions prone to tsunamis.Annual Progress Reviews: About 200 specific targets have been set, and progress will be reviewed yearly.Support for Local Authorities: The central government will assist local governments in implementing safety measures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Delhi Police gear up for July 6 Muharram procession with city-wide traffic plan: Here's what you need to know
Ahead of the Muharram procession on July 6, Delhi Police has put in place special traffic arrangements across the city to ensure smooth vehicle movement and public safety, officials said. Speaking to ANI, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Dinesh Kumar Gupta, said, 'As Muharram is on July 6 in Delhi, we have made detailed traffic plans. Our aim is to provide diversions where needed and ensure the public faces as little trouble as possible. We will also be present on the ground to monitor the Muharram procession closely.' Traffic plans for Kanwar Yatra too Talking about the Kanwar Yatra, a major annual Hindu religious event that brings lakhs of devotees to the roads, Gupta added that police are ready with their plan. 'We have made preparations from July 12 to July 22. We have marked the routes for the Kanwar Yatra and arranged barricades so that Kanwariyas do not move on the main roads,' he said. He added that on the last two days of the Yatra, traffic police will be fully deployed to manage diversions and keep movement smooth. Live Events Importance of both events Muharram is a major day of mourning for Shia Muslims and is observed with large processions and tazias . In India, the 7–8 crore Shia Muslim population, along with people from other communities, take part in these events with devotion and respect. The Kanwar Yatra, on the other hand, is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage where devotees carry holy river water to pour on Lord Shiva's shrines. It is believed that even Parshuram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu and a devotee of Shiva, took part in the first yatra. Devotees observe fasting, perform rituals and walk for hundreds of kilometres during this annual event. Inputs from agencies Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Ashadhi Devshayani Ekadashi 2025 Chaturmas date: Is it on July 6 or 7. Check fasting date and time for getting blessing of Lord Vishnu
Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Chaturmas start date Ashadhi Devshayani Ekadashi 2025 Date And Time: Ashadhi Ekadashi 2025: Puja Vidhi Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT Devshayani Ekadashi 2025: Traditional Bhog Preparation (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Ashadhi Devshayani Ekadashi 2025 Hindus across the country will observe Devshayani Ekadashi on July 6, 2025, marking the start of Lord Vishnu's four-month celestial rest. As per the Vedic calendar, this Ekadashi falls during the Shukla Paksha of the Ashadha month and is considered one of the most significant Ekadashis in the Hindu tradition. The fast will be broken the next day, on July Devshayani Ekadashi marks the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month period during which auspicious activities such as weddings are avoided. According to religious beliefs, Lord Vishnu enters a state of deep sleep on this day and awakens on Prabodhini Ekadashi in the month of Time : July 5 06.58 pmEnd Time: July 6, 09.14 PMOn the day of Ashadhi Devshayani Ekadashi, devotees wake up early, bathe, and begin the day with the remembrance of Lord Vishnu. The idol of the deity is placed on a yellow cloth and offered incense, lamp, unbroken rice (akshat), and yellow flowers as part of the Shodashopachara Vishnu is especially offered yellow-colored food as bhog (offering). Devotees believe that observing this fast with full devotion and following all rituals helps in getting rid of is considered Lord Vishnu's favorite color, and devotees prepare peda as bhog. The peda is made using milk or khoya. Milk is boiled until thickened and then mixed with sugar. It is important to keep stirring to prevent burning. Once the mixture cools down, cardamom powder and more sugar are added. The final mixture is shaped as desired and offered to the deity.(Disclaimer: This information is based on religious texts and local beliefs. does not endorse or confirm any religious claims. Readers are advised to use their discretion and consult relevant experts where necessary.)
India.com
8 hours ago
- India.com
What is the Nankai Trough megaquake? Ryo Tatsuki has predicted..., Japan will be destructed if...
Japan, one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world, has approved a new comprehensive disaster preparedness strategy after the warning of Nankai Trough megaquake. This earthquake will be generated from the Nankai Trough present inside the sea. This will affect large areas like Koshi, Osaka, Nagoya. Interestingly, the warning also assumes importance after the predictions of Ryo Tatsuki, a Japanese manga artist sometimes called the 'New Baba Vanga.' This great earthquake is being compared to the earthquake and tsunami of 2011. But it can be more terrible than that. Because this earthquake can be of 8 to 9 magnitude or more on the Richter scale. There is a possibility of lakhs of people dying due to this. There can be losses worth billions of rupees. This warning has been issued by the Japan Meteorological Association (JMA). What is the Nanakai Valley present in the ocean? There is an 800 kilometer long valley under the sea from Shizuoka to Kyushu Island, west of Japan's capital Tokyo. A terrible earthquake of 8 or 9 magnitude occurs in this valley every one or two centuries. That is why they are called megathrust quakes. That means two terrible earthquakes one after the other. Meaning in pairs. Which causes a megatsunami. In 1770, all segments of the Nankai Valley erupted simultaneously, causing Japan's second-largest earthquake. This also caused the Mount Fuji volcano to erupt. Three more earthquakes followed, in 1854, 1944 and 1946. All three were devastating earthquakes. How much is at stake? The Japanese government had said some time ago that a massive earthquake of 8 to 9 magnitude could occur in the next 30 years. Its probability is 70 percent. Government projections warn that such an event could result in the deaths of up to 298,000 people and the destruction of over 2.35 million buildings in a worst-case scenario.
