Japan ‘cautious’ as tsunami alert is canceled
(CNN) — Tsunami warnings were canceled for all countries Sunday, a day after a deadly 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile, forecasters said.
However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in its cancellation alert it was only advising governments, and “only national and local government agencies have the authority to make decisions regarding the official state of alert in their area and any actions to be taken in response.”
Despite the cancellation, Japan remained cautious.
The nation’s meteorological agency opted to downgrade the warning without eliminating it entirely. Its prior alert of “major tsunami” was changed to “tsunami.”
The quake struck Chile early Saturday, killing at least 300 people and prompting tsunami warnings and advisories along the Pacific. Chilean officials are expected to announce an updated death toll later Sunday.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/28/japan.tsunami/index.html?hpt=T1
