AUTHORITIES struggle to restore water supply, electricity, and transportation means to thousands of households in central Japan. The tragic aftermath of the deadly earthquake left a massive trail of destruction in the region.
As the rest of the world welcomed 2024 with high hopes and cheers, parts of Japan experienced a series of powerful earthquakes on New Year’s Day.
The strongest tremor reached magnitude 7.6 recorded in the Noto Region in Ishikawa Prefecture.
The deadly earthquake reduced hundreds of buildings and houses to rubble and forced tens of thousands to flee to higher ground.
The death toll has reached 78 as of Thursday afternoon.
The city of Wajima was the most affected, with Ishikawa Prefecture alone to have recorded 44 casualties.
Authorities blamed the aftershocks that affected at least 95,000 households as the reason for the severed access to electricity and water supply.
Japan’s main communication service provider reported communication barriers in several areas in Ishikawa Prefecture.
More than 3,400 people evacuated from their homes.
Rescue teams are also struggling to deliver aid to affected areas after the powerful earthquake destroyed roads.
The U.S. Geological Survey revealed it is by far the strongest quake to hit the region in more than four decades.
