In the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11 and triggered blasts at nuclear power plants, over 300 people, primarily from Tokyo, arrived here on Wednesday evening.
Arriving on an Air India flight AI-307, the passengers were a mixture of Indians and Japanese.
Most Indians were living in Tokyo and said the capital city had not been drastically affected by the earthquake and the tsunami as it was at a distance from the north-eastern part of the country which bore the brunt of the twin disasters. The passengers also said that since they were in Tokyo, they were also relatively removed from the danger of being exposed to radioactive material.
They did not look overly distraught from the ordeal, even as their kin awaited anxiously for them at the airport.
However, survivors from Sendai which was badly affected by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami had a more harrowing tale to narrate. Anmol Kaushik's brother Dr. Abhishek was one of the returnees who was in Sendai for about a fortnight when the tragedy struck. “My brother told us that 90 per cent of Sendai has been destroyed. He has had a miraculous escape,” said Anmol.
Ujjwal Sabherwal, a manager who was working in Tokyo for three years, said: “The natural disaster has shocked all communities in Japan and not just the Japanese. The devastation is huge. There is shortage of food, water and power. Transport too has been majorly affected.”
Describing the moment the earthquake struck, Mr. Sabherwal's wife Anisha said: “The entire ground suddenly began shaking vigorously. Luckily I was on the first floor of my office and not higher above. Countries such as China have already begun airlifting their citizens from Japan.”
New Delhi also seemed to be a safe destination for the Japanese. Noel Kyo who was on the flight said that she was here for “sightseeing.” Other Japanese said they were on business.
Zubair Ayoobi, who plans to return to Tokyo “next week or when the situation improves,” said: “Tokyo is calm. The international community including the Indians in Japan are more anxious compared to the locals.”
Many Indians staying in Tokyo contacted the Indian embassy after it broadcast its helpline numbers.
