Sri Lanka issues orders to evacuate tourists after tsunami warning COLOMBO, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has issued evacuation orders to...

Sri Lanka issues orders to evacuate tourists after tsunami warning

COLOMBO, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has issued evacuation orders to tourists on holiday in coastal areas under an extended tsunami warning and called on all hotels to provide protection for their guests, the Government Information Department said here on Wednesday.

The department issuing a statement quoted Sri Lanka's Tourism Board "advising all hotels in coastal areas to take precautions for the safety of tourists." In February Sri Lanka posted 83,549 tourist arrivals with high numbers of tourists preferring the nation's pristine beaches.

The tsunami warning was extended by three hours after an aftershock was felt of the Indonesian earthquake, the Disaster Management Center said in a statement. The navy has also been posted in coastal areas to assist in case of an emergency.

Several areas in the capital and internal towns such as Dambulla felt tremors causing more panic, officials at the Met department told media.

The government canceled all leave for all hospital staff working in coastal hospitals and placed them on high alert, the health ministry said in a statement here on Wednesday after a tsunami warning.

The government has also disconnected electricity and suspended railway services to coastal areas after issuing a tsunami warning following a massive 8.6 magnitude earthquake off the west coast of Indonesia.

The state Ceylon Electricity Board has disconnected electricity to all coastal areas to prevent breakouts of fire and other disasters following the tsunami warning, according to the Government Information Department.

Railway services to coastal areas have also been stopped to prevent any casualties.

Sri Lanka lost around 40,000 people during the last tsunami in 2004.

Several injured after 8.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Indonesia's Sumatra

JAKARTA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Several people suffered bruises from falling materials on their heads when a major earthquake and aftershocks jolted northern Sumatra on Wednesday afternoon, a local TV reported.

Two students were rushed to hospitals with bloody heads after being hit by falling materials.Full story

8.3-magnitude aftershock occurs in western Aceh coast with part of coasts already impacted by high wave

JAKARTA, April 11, (Xinhua) -- Another strong aftershock measured 8.3 magnitude occurred in western Aceh coasts with parts of the coasts in Aceh already impacted by tsunami, local TV reported here Wednesday.

The tsunami waves reportedly have already reached Meulaboh and Sabang coasts in Aceh province following series of aftershocks, with the largest one measured at 8.3 magnitude in Aceh at dusk.Full story

Tsunami symptom seen on Aceh coast

JAKARTA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Symptom of tsunami appeared on Aceh coast in the aftermath of the two major earthquakes off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia on Wednesday, a local TV reported.

The report said that waters started to recede on Aceh coast, a symptom of tsunami wave. Metro TV reported.Full story

Strong tremor felt in eastern India, tsunami warning issued

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Photo taken on April 11, 2012 shows TV screen of the breaking news of the massive earthquake in Indonesia. India Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for Andaman and Nicobar Islands off the Bay of Bengal and in southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, after strong tremors were felt across the Indian eastern coast following a 8.9 magnitude quake in Indonesia. (Xinhua/Li Yigang)？

NEW DELHI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- India Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for Andaman and Nicobar Islands off the Bay of Bengal and in southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, after strong tremors were felt across the Indian eastern coast following a 8.9 magnitude quake in Indonesia.

Mild tremor was also felt in New Delhi, the financial hub of Mumbai, while eastern city of Kolkata and the southern city of Chennai saw panic following the earthquake in Indonesia.Full story

Massive earthquake jolts off Indonesia's Aceh, tsunami warning issued

JAKARTA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A major earthquake measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale jolted off the west coast of Indonesia's northwestern province of Aceh on Wednesday afternoon, and meteorology agency issued tsunami warning in the province, local TV reported.Full story

Myanmar issues tsunmi warning triggered by strong earthquake in Sumatra

YAGNON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar issued tsunami warning Wednesday afternoon after a major earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale jolted off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 08:38 GMT.Full story

Tsunami may hit Thai coast at 5 p.m., airport closed

BANGKOK, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department issued an urgent warning for people living on the Anadaman coast of six southern provinces to evacuate, the areas that would possibly be hit by tsunami starting from 5:09 p.m. local time, The Nation online reported.Full story

Strong tremor felt in eastern India, tsunami warning issued

NEW DELHI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- India Wednesday issued a tsunami alert for Andaman and Nicobar Islands off the Bay of Bengal and in southern states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, after strong tremors were felt across the Indian eastern coast following a 8.9 magnitude quake in Indonesia.Full story

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