A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan today, unleashing a series of subsequent tremors that have triggered tsunami warnings along the coast. The earthquake, which struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture at approximately 4:10 pm local time, has prompted urgent evacuation orders as authorities brace for the potential onslaught of hazardous tsunami waves.

Videos circulating on social media show the first waves of the tsunami hitting Toyama city in Toyama Prefecture. NDTV could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Waves reaching a height of 1.2 meters struck Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. This followed a significant 7.5 magnitude earthquake recorded by the US Geological Survey and other agencies just over 10 minutes earlier.

富山市　萩浦橋　津波到達中 pic.twitter.com/5TJkH4E1Mx

— 鈴木 一 (@hioooomn) January 1, 2024

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a rapid succession of quakes in the Noto region, beginning with a 5.7 magnitude tremor at 4:06 pm. 

津波、初めて見た
こわ
（ここは垂直避難済み） pic.twitter.com/t5vxuKjdRb

— 打岩_ムテキムキムキの人 (@naec0) January 1, 2024

This was swiftly followed by a staggering 7.6-magnitude quake at 4:10 pm, marking the epicenter of the unfolding crisis. The seismic activity continued with a 6.1 magnitude quake at 4:18 pm, a 4.5 magnitude tremor at 4:23 pm, a 4.6 magnitude quake at 4:29 pm, and a 4.8 magnitude quake at 4:32 pm. 

A subsequent 6.2 magnitude earthquake further intensified the already dire situation, according to the US Geological Survey.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday refused to fuel any further the controversy over the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, saying tersely the judges decide a case “according to the Constitution and the law”.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, the CJI also spoke candidly about the five-judge constitution bench verdict refusing to legalise same sex marriages and said the outcome of a case is never personal to a judge.

The 50th Chief Justice of India, however, acknowledged the “long and hard battle” queer couples fought for realisation of their rights.

On October 17, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court refused to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriage but recognised equal rights for queer people and their protection.

“Once you decide a case you kind of distance yourself from the outcome. Outcomes are never personal to us as a judge. I never have any regrets. Yes, I have been in a majority in many cases and minority in many cases. But the important part of the life of a judge is never to associate yourself with a cause. Having decided a case, I leave it at that,” he said.

On the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 and its criticism, he said, the judges speak their mind through their judgment which becomes a public property after the pronouncement and people in a free society can always make their opinion about it.

“So far as we are concerned we decide according to the Constitution and the law. I don’t think it will be appropriate for me either to respond to the criticism or mount a defence to my judgment. What we have said in my judgment is reflected in the reason present in the signed judgment and I must leave it at that,” the CJI said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

‘Donkey Flight’ is a dangerous illegal backdoor route undertaken by many Indians to immigrate to countries such as the US, the UK, and Canada. The issue has come to spotlight after a plane carrying suspected victims of human trafficking was rerouted to India while on its way to Nicaragua after being detained in France. NDTV’s Mohammad Ghazali brings this ground report from Punjab and Haryana region as to why young people are taking this dangerous route for their foreign dreams.