Japan grapples with devastation: Quake toll rises to 48 as rescue operations scramble amidst aftershocks

Nanao, a city on the Noto peninsula of Japan, faces the grim aftermath of a New Year’s Day earthquake, now with a reported death toll of 48. The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, struck Japan’s west coast causing destruction and prompting a tsunami that engulfed cars and houses. The Japanese government, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the helm, is earnestly coordinating a search and rescue operation they describe as a "battle against time."

A meticulous force comprising a 3,000-strong rescue crew that includes army personnel, firefighters, and police officers has been mobilized to tackle the calamity. The Prime Minister disclosed the daunting challenge rescuers are facing, particularly accessing the worst-hit areas of the Noto peninsula. The helicopter surveys have revealed alarming scenes of damage and multiple fires, as approximately 120 individuals await rescue amidst the debris.

Transportation has been crippled with the suspension of many rail services and flights. Noto airport witnessed substantial damage, leading to its closure and stranding 500 people in cars. Suzu, a coastal town perilously close to the quake’s epicentre, might see upwards of 1,000 homes utterly destroyed. Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya described the scene as catastrophic. In Wajima city alone, at least 15 fatalities were reported, and throughout the Ishikawa prefecture, the devastation has been appalling.

Japan's disaster management agency is working on multiple fronts to extinguish fires and free individuals trapped under collapsed structures. Moreover, the Japan Meteorological Agency raised concerns about the potential for strong aftershocks, with over 140 tremors recorded since the initial quake.

Survivor accounts highlighted the horror of the earthquake. Nobuko Sugimori, 74, recounted the quake's massive force, which left her Nanao city home severely damaged. Fujiko Ueno, 73, relived the terrifying moment when the quake hit during a New Year celebration with 20 guests present. Miraculously, no one in her household was hurt.

International support has poured in with leaders such as President Biden offering assistance. Approximately 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate to emergency shelters, but many returned home following the lifting of the tsunami warning. Despite this, the lingering impacts are severe, with tens of thousands left without power or water supplies.

As these operations unfold, Japan's defence minister has announced the possibility of deploying up to 10,000 army personnel to aid in ongoing efforts. The quake’s timing is also noted as sensitive given Japan’s recent lifting of a ban on the world's largest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, and the proximity to the 2011 Fukushima disaster. However, the Nuclear Regulation Authority has reported no irregularities at active reactors along the Sea of Japan coast.

This disaster challenges Japan's resilience as the country comes to terms with the human and infrastructural toll exacted by the earthquake. The strength of community and the commitment of rescuers stand as beacons of hope amid the search for survivors in this tragedy-stricken landscape.