This Post Is Recently Updated on Jan 4, 2024 @ 23:03 pm by TBB Desk
A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the west coast of central Japan on Monday, leading to significant casualties and widespread destruction. The latest figures indicate at least 55 deaths, and authorities caution that the toll may increase as rescue operations continue.
Epicentre and Impact: The quake’s epicentre was near Wajima, a town about 500 kilometres from Tokyo, with a population of approximately 27,000. Wajima suffered extensive damage, including the collapse of around 25 buildings, many of them private homes.
Hospitalizations and Rescue Efforts: Dozens of individuals have been hospitalized across several cities. Rescue operations are actively underway, involving various emergency services. Footage from NHK, the public broadcaster, showed distressing scenes, including a seven-storey building collapsing in Wajima.
Fire and Infrastructure Damage: A significant fire in the prefecture has impacted over 200 buildings and continues to burn in some areas, although officials believe the risk of further spread is minimal. The earthquake has also caused substantial disruptions to local air and train services.
Government Response: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has taken a proactive stance, declaring himself in charge of disaster management. He announced the mobilization of the Self-Defence Forces, Japan Coast Guard, fire brigade, and police. Efforts are particularly focused on the Noto peninsula’s northern areas, where vehicle access is challenging. Supplies have been dispatched by ship to these regions.
Safety Warnings and Evacuations: Prime Minister Kishida urged residents in affected areas to prioritize safety due to the heightened risk of building collapses and landslides. Approximately 32,000 people have been evacuated in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures and other nearby areas.
Rescue Personnel and Evacuees: About 1,000 Japanese Self-Defence Forces personnel are engaged in the rescue operations. The number of evacuees in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures remains over 46,000, and tens of thousands of households, particularly in Ishikawa, are without power.
Sea Level Rise and Regional Impact: Interestingly, the sea level rise observed in Japan and neighboring South Korea has not resulted in major damage. This aspect indicates the complex dynamics of the earthquake’s impact.
Positive Aspects: Despite the escalating casualty figures, the damage was somewhat mitigated by prompt public warnings via broadcasts and phones, coupled with a quick response from the public and officials.
This disaster underscores Japan’s vulnerability to natural calamities and highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and response systems in such critical situations.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the recent earthquake in central Japan, adhering to the original details provided.
