Death toll from Japan quakes climb to 73
Rain, road debris are hindering rescue efforts.
The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that have shaken central Japan since January has climbed to 73, according to Nippon Television.
As of 6 p.m. local time on January 3, local reports indicate over 300 people are injured. The tremors left approximately 200 homes either partially or entirely in ruins. In the community of Suzu, a town with around 13,000 residents close to the quake's epicentre, as many as 90 per cent of the houses may have been ruined, its mayor, Masuhiro Izumiya, said via Reuters.
By 5 p.m. on January 3, power outages affected around 32,400 households, while nearly 95,000 homes grappled with a lack of running water and struggled to find access to food.
Road debris has made it difficult to deliver much-needed supplies, with some areas now only accessible by helicopter. The government has opened a sea route to allow for faster access to hard-hit areas.
"Even those who narrowly escaped death can't survive without food and water," said Mayor Izumiya, said.
"We haven't received a single loaf of bread."
Despite concerted search and rescue operations to rescue individuals trapped beneath the debris, frequent aftershocks have hindered progress.
Rain complicating rescue efforts
Rain started to fall in earthquake-affected areas on the evening of January 2, elevating the risk of a landslide.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is forecasting additional heavy rains in parts of Ishikawa Prefecture up to the morning of January 4.
That same day, tsunami waves surged along various stretches of the Sea of Japan coastlines, with enough force to displace at least one boat onto a coastal road.
The JMA has lifted all tsunami advisories for the area, but warned that additional aftershocks may occur over the next week.
VIDEO: Magnitude 7.6 earthquake hits Japan
Header image: REUTERS: An aerial view shows collapsed houses, cars and roads caused by an earthquake in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan January 2, 2024, in this photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
