In The Midst Of Cold Weather And Heavy Rain, The Rescue Team Collides With The Evacuation Time Of Japanese Earthquake Victims

The impact of the January 1 earthquake in Japan. (Twitter/@Alt_Azn)

JAKARTA - Rescuers raced with the cold in evacuating survivors along Japan's western coastline, Thursday, December 4, after being rocked by an earthquake earlier this week. Houses were destroyed, at least 78 people were killed and 51 reported missing. Heavy rains and possible snow are expected to increase the risk of landslides. The previously reported missing list of victims has now increased from 15 to 51 people in three cities, including a 13-year-old boy. Ishikawa Prefecture and its surrounding areas were rocked by more aftershocks, adding dozens of aftershocks with a magnitude of 7.6 on Monday centered near Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture. The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning, followed by waves measuring more than 1 meter in several places. According to experts, as reported by Japantoday, the first 72 hours are very important for rescue. The prospects for survival are greatly reduced after that time. "It's a race against time, and I feel we are at a critical moment," said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On this day he announced that the number of troops sent for rescue operations increased from around 1,000 to 4,600. The narrow Noto Peninsula adds to the challenges of reaching several communities. Water, electricity, and cell phone services are still down in some areas. Naomi Gonno said she and her children came out of their house when the house collapsed. But her children shouted "Nenek", and Gonno saw her mother trapped under the destroyed house, with only her hands visible. She can get out through the small room, said Gonno. "I can't believe we're still alive," he said. "We live in fear.” Relief workers distributed water, blankets, food, and other supplies. The sniffer dogs joined military personnel and firefighters in the search. Weather forecasters warned of heavy rains in Ishikawa, which caused concern about landslides and further damage to half-destroyed houses. Temperatures are expected to drop to about 2 degrees Celsius overnight. Ishikawa officials raised the death toll on Thursday to 78. Of the deaths, 44 people were in Wakima and 23 in Suzu, the rest in five cities. More than 330 people were injured, at least 25 of whom were serious. Governor Ishikawa Hiroshi Hase encourages everyone to use masks, antiseptics, and soap to prevent the spread of infectious diseases as refugees take shelter together. Ensuring adequate supplies of water and toilets for those displaced are a priority, he said. About 34,000 people live in refugee centers, and some say they are hungry and cold, unable to sleep and are afraid. When Monday's earthquake hit, Yasuo Kobatake ran out of his house with just one socks. The shock knocked him to the ground, and a concrete wall collapsed, barely missing him, he said. He only ate the rice ball and some water in a paper cup at the elementary school where he and the others took shelter. They sleep on the pillow, without a blanket. "It was very cold at the time. I thought I would die from cold," he said. In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, the boats lay upside down at sea, the streets were blocked by mounds, and the poles and walls scattered from flat houses. A major fire turned the entire city of Wakima into ashes. Officials warned that more major earthquakes could occur. No major problems were reported at the nuclear plant after Monday's earthquake. The Shika nuclear power plant in Ishikawa experienced a partial power outage, but the backup power was on, ensuring the critical cooling process continues. Takako Izumi, a professor of disaster science at Tohoku University, said the time was needed to think about logistics because roads were often blocked after the earthquake, and large trucks could not pass to deliver aid. If the land route is inaccessible, aid may have to be dropped from the sky or taken by boat. The cold winter adds to the health risks, and some people may still not reach the evacuation center, he added.

"We need to assess the damage accurately first. And then the right response can come, and what is needed can reach the right place," said Izumi.