The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday, Dec. 3 canceled the tsunami warning in Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental as the country is no longer under threat from a tsunami triggered by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
Hours following the powerful tremor struck at 10:37 p.m. on Dec. 2, Phivolcs lifted the tsunami warning it issued "for all coastal communities in the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental, recommending immediate evacuation in these areas."
It said that preliminary wave heights of 0.64 meter in Mawes Island, Hinatuan; 0.18 meter in Lawigan, Bislig City; 0.05 meter in Port of Dapa, Surigao del Norte; and 0.08 meter in Mati, Davao Oriental were confirmed by sea level monitoring stations.
“The last recorded tsunami wave arrival in the Philippines occurred at 2:52 a.m. (Dec. 3) at Hinatuan-Bislig Bay Station on Mawes Island. This means that the tsunami threat associated with this earthquake has now largely passed the Philippines,” Phivolcs said in its advisory.
Consequently, it has now cancelled all tsunami warnings issued for the 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
Phivolcs advised the concerned coastal areas' local governments to assess the tsunami's impact and then inform and instruct the coastal population at risk.
People in threatened communities are also advised to follow local officials' instructions as they safely resume their normal activities.
Boats at sea are also recommended to follow instructions from the Philippine Coast Guard or appropriate port authorities as they return to shore safely.