Society

Tsunami waves to reach China; no serious damage expected

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-11 22:38

GUANGDONG - Tsunami waves triggered by a powerful earthquake in Japan would reach China's southern and eastern coastal provinces late Friday, but would not bring serious damages, ocean forecast officials said.

Related readings:  32 killed in major tsunami after 8.9 Japan quake  Japan super quake, tsunami terrify tremor-prone nation  Tsunami hits, one reported dead after Japan quake

The waves would reach east Guangdong province, coastal Fujian and Zhejiang provinces at around 10 pm, with heights between 0.3 to 0.6 meters, which were below danger levels, said Bai Yiping, director of a forecasting center under the State Oceanic Administration.

Still, Guangdong's maritime affairs bureau has suspended passenger ferry services in its eastern coastal areas and ordered 24-hour patrols.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's northeastern Honshu island Friday afternoon, triggering a ferocious tsunami.

The waves, as high as 0.3 meters, would also reach east China's Jiangsu province and Shanghai municipality after midnight.