Japan faces freezing rain, and there is also a risk of landslides

Freezing rain and landslides are feared in areas devastated by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan early in the new year.

 Japan faces freezing rain, and there is also a risk of landslides

Reuters reported this information in a report on Wednesday (January 3). There is a risk that the temperature will drop further.

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that hit Japan on the first day of the new year has risen to 62. However, those who survived this disaster faced a new catastrophic situation.

Thousands of houses, vehicles, and boats were damaged. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake caused land damage, which increases the risk of landslides.

The JMA also said freezing rain could disrupt roads and public transit. This can make it difficult for the affected people to get food and other essential items.

The Japanese government continues to provide aid to the affected areas. Army and fire service personnel are working to rescue the victims and provide food and medicine.

Last Monday, Japan's Ishikawa region was the epicenter of a 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which caused huge waves and damaged many buildings. The earthquake struck at 4:10 local time.

 Japan faces freezing rain, and there is also a risk of landslides

"More than 40 hours have passed since the initial earthquake," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a news conference after a meeting on disaster response on Wednesday. It's a war against time, and I believe now is the critical moment in that war.'

Kishida said the government is also using sea routes for relief distribution, and some large trucks are now able to reach the worst-hit areas.

 Japan faces freezing rain, and there is also a risk of landslides

Just over 5,000 families live in Suzhou, a city near the epicenter. The city's mayor, Masuhiro Izumiya, said authorities had failed to respond to 72 calls for help from the city.

Japan is an earthquake-prone country. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami killed about 19,000 people in the country.

 Tsunami threat after 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Japan