Pakistan rules out tsunami threat after Indonesia quake ISLAMABAD, April 11 (Xinhua) -- As tsunami warning issued for 28 countries across ...

Pakistan rules out tsunami threat after Indonesia quake

ISLAMABAD, April 11 (Xinhua) -- As tsunami warning issued for 28 countries across Indian Ocean region after 8.6 magnitude quake struck Indonesia, Pakistan Meteorological Department Wednesday ruled out any chance of tsunami waves could hit Pakistani costal line.

Director General Meteorological Department, Arif Mehmood told the media that after tsunami warning to Pakistan, the department is deeply monitoring the situation, however, there was no tsunami threat to Pakistani shores.

He said the department is also monitoring effect of earth quake and tsunami movement which started under the sea off Indonesia's northern Aceh province.

Arif Mehmood said Pakistan Meteorological Department has continuous connection with Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii.

He informed the height of tsunami wave would differ at different location as it moves forward and will be weakened while entering into Arabian Sea where Pakistani coastal line is located at.

"A tsunami watch means there is the potential for a tsunami, not that one is imminent," he added.

Meanwhile, safety measurements were also observed at Karachi and Gawadar sea ports.

According to ports authority, ships docked at ports in Karachi and Gawadar were attached with double supports.

Two Pakistani port cities Karachi and Gawadar were also among hazard costal cities warned for tsunami.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said that Pakistan has not been affected by the Indonesian tsunami.

Earlier, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.6 struck under the sea off Indonesia's northern Aceh province after that Tsunami warning was issued for 28 countries including Pakistan.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii said a tsunami watch was in effect for Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar,Thailand, the Maldives and other Indian Ocean islands, Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia, Oman, Iran, Bangladesh, Kenya, South Africa and Singapore.

The tremor was felt as far away as Singapore, Thailand and India.

"Earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean basin," the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.

The US Geological Survey said an 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra at 1408 IST at a depth of 33 kilometers. USGS had initially reported it as an 8.9-magnitude quake.