TOKYO, Jan 12 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese government, yesterday, designated the powerful earthquake, that jolted central prefecture of Ishikawa and its vicinity, a “disaster of extreme severity,” boosting subsidies for reconstruction process in affected communities, media reported.
Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida’s government, aims to provide larger financial support for local authorities, to implement measures such as the speedy reconstruction of roads and farmland, following the magnitude 7.6 quake that struck on Jan 1, Kyodo News reported.
As of 2.00 p.m. local time yesterday, the death toll rose to 213, in the hardest-hit prefecture, while a total of 37 people remained unaccounted for, according to local authorities.
Meanwhile, the Ishikawa prefectural government, yesterday launched a body, to implement measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in evacuation centres, the report said.
According to the health ministry, as of Tuesday, around 70 cases of respiratory diseases, such as, COVID-19 and influenza, had been reported, and around 40 cases of gastrointestinal illnesses, including norovirus infections.
More than 26,000 people remain in evacuation centres, following the New Year’s quake that registered a maximum 7 on the country’s seismic intensity scale, according to media reports.– NNN-NHK
