Japan quake toll rises to 62

In the aftermath of a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, Japanese rescuers are engaged in a frantic search for survivors amid warnings of landslides from heavy rain.

The quake, which triggered tsunami waves exceeding a meter in height, wreaked havoc on the Noto Peninsula along the Sea of Japan coast, leaving at least 62 people dead and over 300 injured, with the toll expected to rise.

The most severe impact was felt in towns like Wajima and Suzu, where satellite images reveal the dramatic before-and-after scenes of buildings engulfed in flames and houses flattened.

As rescuers battle aftershocks and challenging weather conditions, the number of casualties is anticipated to increase.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, addressing the gravity of the situation, stated that more military personnel and rescue dogs have been deployed to intensify rescue efforts.

The urgency is further heightened as the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy rain warning in the region, cautioning against potential landslides.

Over 31,800 people have sought refuge in shelters, and with more than 200 buildings already collapsed, the government anticipates a further increase in the number of casualties.

Blocked and damaged roads have impeded the delivery of food and emergency supplies to affected communities, exacerbating the challenges faced by survivors.

Yuko Okuda, sheltering in Anamizu, expressed concerns about the lack of essential services and the well-being of her family, particularly her son’s food allergies complicating the available provisions.

Despite the challenges, there are signs of recovery, with Shinkansen bullet trains and highways resuming operations.

However, the scars left by this earthquake are a stark reminder of Japan’s vulnerability to seismic activity.

The region has experienced over 400 earthquakes, and the high number of aftershocks is attributed to the complex fault systems beneath the Noto Peninsula.

Japan, haunted by the memory of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, is no stranger to natural disasters.

While this recent quake caused minor damage at some nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan shoreline, authorities assure there is no threat to the environment or the safety of the facilities.