On the first day of 2024, Japan experienced a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale. On January 1, Japan felt 21 tremors measuring 4.0 or greater on the Richter scale within 90 minutes. The quake's impact continues to affect residents of Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan, who are still dealing with power outages. Additionally, communication services have been halted. In Anamizu Town, Ishikawa, power crews are diligently repairing transmission lines. According to local power operators, 1,900 homes in Anamizu alone were without electricity, and approximately 20,000 homes are affected across Ishikawa Prefecture.
The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reports that thousands of residents in the cities of Wajima and Suzu in Ishikawa also remain without power. However, mobile phone signals are still unavailable in Wajima and Suzu. Moreover, road repairs are causing traffic disruptions. As of Sunday, at least 128 lives have been lost due to this disaster, with at least 195 people still missing.
The Indian Embassy has launched an emergency helpline service following the earthquake. South Korea's meteorological agency warned that the sea levels along some parts of Gangwon Province's eastern coast might rise following the quake in Japan. In a televised address on NHK, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that officials are assessing the damage caused by the earthquake.
Japan's Nuclear Power Plants Deemed Safe After Inspections
According to Japan's Nuclear Authority, no irregularities were found in coastal nuclear power plants. This includes five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power's Ohi and Takahama Nuclear Power Plants in Fukui Prefecture. Before the earthquake, the Shika Plant in Hokuriku, Ishikawa, had already shut down its two reactors for routine inspections. Despite its proximity to the quake's epicenter, no damage was observed at this nuclear power plant.
On March 11, 2011, northeastern Japan was struck by a massive earthquake and tsunami that claimed around 20,000 lives. The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant was also under severe threat.
