Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury is urging caution along the region’s coastline following the magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 11.25am today.

The National Emergency Management Agency  issued a national tsunami advisory, warning that strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges are expected to reach Canterbury shores from approximately 2am Thursday, 31 July, and could continue throughout the day.

Canterbury officials said residents should stay out of the sea, estuaries, lagoons, off beaches, and away from river mouths, where the strongest currents are expected, particularly those in red tsunami evacuation zones.

Authorities are paying special attention to low-lying areas around Banks Peninsula, particularly at the heads of harbours and bays, where tsunami activity may be amplified.

“In these areas, there is a possibility of very low-lying land being flooded,” the advisory said. “We ask people to be particularly cautious and stay out of these areas.”

Officials stressed that broader flooding of land is not expected and there is no need to evacuate the orange or yellow tsunami zones.

Those on boats, live-aboards, or at marinas are advised to come ashore and not return to their vessels unless given the all-clear by officials.

Tomorrow’s high tide times:

• Kaikōura: 9.43am

• Lyttelton: 9.23am

• Akaroa: 8.54am

• Timaru: 8.05am

Officials said the risk may be heightened around these times and are asking the public to remain especially cautious during the morning.

People are advised to follow updates from Civil Defence and listen for further instructions from emergency authorities.