The death toll resulting from the powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake that shook Japan's Ishikawa prefecture on January 1 has risen to 203, as reported by local authorities on Wednesday, with an additional 68 people still unaccounted for.
The Ishikawa prefectural government confirmed seven disaster-related deaths on Wednesday, with six occurring in Suzu city and one in Noto town. According to the national news agency Kyodo, these individuals were not directly killed by the earthquakes but succumbed to worsening injuries or illnesses arising from the physical and mental strain in the aftermath of the disaster.
Breaking down the death toll, 91 casualties were confirmed in Suzu, 81 in Wajima, 20 in Anamizu, five in Nanao, three in Noto, two in Shika, and one in Hakui.
Concerns about building collapses and secondary hazards such as landslides have escalated in the affected areas due to continuous rainfall since Tuesday. Prefectural authorities issued warnings, emphasizing the ongoing risk assessment.
The atmospheric conditions remain precarious, influenced by pressure troughs and cold air aloft. There is an increased likelihood of ground loosening in the Noto region due to the cumulative effects of previous earthquakes and rain-induced snowmelt, according to the regional meteorological observatory of Kanazawa, as reported by Kyodo.
Sheltering over 26,000 people in evacuation centers, the prefectural authorities are grappling with rising risks of infectious diseases like Covid-19 and influenza. Around 3,100 individuals remain isolated due to disrupted roads.
In response to the challenges posed by fluctuating numbers of individuals with unknown whereabouts, local authorities clarified that the information is continually updated by integrating data collected through various channels.
(With Agency Inputs)
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