Japan earthquake toll rises to 62, officials warn of landslides and heavy rain

Tokyo: Japanese authorities have issued a warning of potential landslides and heavy rain until Wednesday evening, following a series of powerful earthquakes that struck western Japan on New Year's Day.

Japan's public broadcaster said, “Be on the lookout for landslides until the evening of Wednesday.”

The powerful quake of 7.6 magnitude claimed lives of at least 62 and left 22 severely injured, with around 31,800 seeking shelter. It triggered tsunami wave warnings on Honshu's main island on Monday, causing significant damage and collapse of buildings, and houses and sparking major fires.

Rescue efforts continue amidst aftershocks and challenging weather conditions.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government convenes an emergency task force to discuss responses on Wednesday morning, emphasising the urgency in reaching those potentially trapped in collapsed buildings.

Several hundred houses and buildings are destroyed, with 34,000 houses in Ishikawa still without power. The Noto Peninsula is particularly affected, experiencing a surge in earthquakes since 2018.

This disaster follows Japan's traumatic history, marked by a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake in 2011, leading to a tsunami that claimed over 18,000 lives. Authorities remain on high alert for further seismic activity.