The death toll attributed to the Japan earthquake that occurred on New Year’s Day has risen to 161 from the previous count of 128. This information was disclosed on Monday, as rescue operations faced challenges due to snowfall.
The authorities in the central Ishikawa region affected by the 7.5-magnitude quake confirmed that the number of missing persons decreased from 195 to 103. The earthquake resulted in the collapse of buildings, a significant fire outbreak, and the generation of tsunami waves over a meter high.
The rescue efforts have been impeded by the closure of roads and an estimated 1,000 landslides, prompting the deployment of thousands of rescue personnel from across Japan. Furthermore, the operation has been made even more difficult by heavy snowfall in the region over the past two days.
Despite the adverse conditions, a woman in her 90s managed to survive for five days under the rubble of a collapsed house in the city of Suzu on the Noto Peninsula, which was severely affected by the earthquake. In contrast, some individuals, like a 52-year-old man in the town of Anamizu, are anxiously awaiting news about their family members who remain unaccounted for.
The inclement weather is anticipated to exacerbate the situation for over 28,800 individuals in 404 government shelters, with the risk of additional landslides and structural collapses due to heavy snow and continuous rainfall.
The challenges in reaching isolated communities and providing essential supplies are evident, with damaged roads and landslides obstructing aid vehicles. These conditions have contributed to the slow distribution of relief materials to the affected areas, where many households are grappling with power and water outages.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized the priority of rescuing people trapped under debris and reaching isolated communities. Efforts have been made to send small groups of troops to isolated areas and deploy police and fire department helicopters to provide assistance.
While Japan experiences numerous earthquakes annually, strict building regulations have generally mitigated their impact. However, the prevalence of older structures, particularly in aging rural communities like Noto, poses challenges in ensuring structural resilience.
The haunting memory of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in nearly 18,500 fatalities and a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima plant, continues to cast a shadow over the country’s collective consciousness.
