13 Dead As 155 Earthquakes Jolt Japan In A Day. Rescuers 'Battle Against Time' To Search For Survivors

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday and said: "The search and rescue of those impacted by the quake is a battle against time." 

At least 13 people died and many were left injured after 155 earthquakes, the strongest being of magnitude 7.6, struck western Japan leading to top-level tsunami alert in the country on New Year's day. BBC cited local media reports as saying that the earthquake has left at least 13 people dead in Ishikawa Prefecture.

According to AFP, Japan has been hit by 155 earthquakes since Monday including a 7.6-magnitude jolt and another over 6, the Japan Meteorological Office said.

Meanwhile, Japan's meteorological agency has lifted all tsunami advisories along the Sea of Japan, NHK added. The tremors have brought cracks in roads, knocked power from thousands of households and scared residents to deaths. According to Reuters, thousands of army personnel, firefighters and police officers have been dispatched to the worst-hit area in the relatively remote Noto peninsula.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held an emergency disaster meeting on Tuesday and said: "The search and rescue of those impacted by the quake is a battle against time." 

He said it was getting difficult for rescuers to reach the northern tip of the Noto peninsula due to wrecked roads. As per Reuters, the Japanese PM said that helicopter surveys had discovered many fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Rail services and flights have been suspended amid a mammoth rescue operation in Japan. Public broadcaster NHK said eight deaths had been reported in the hard-hit town of Wajima near the epicentre. In towns, like Suzu, doctors were unable to reach a hospital that was relying on a backup generator for power.

US President Joe Biden has offered all possible held to Japan in this tough hour. "As close allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our people. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time," he said, quoted Reuters.

The Japanese government asked over 97,000 people to evacuate their homes on Monday night and sent them to sports halls and school gymnasiums, commonly used as evacuation centres in emergencies.

As the tsunami warning was lifted, many returned to their homes on Tuesday but around 33,000 households remained without power in Ishikawa prefecture early on Tuesday morning, according to Hokuriku Electric Power's (9505.T) website, the report further said.

Many areas in the northern Noto peninsula also have no water supply, NHK reported, quoted Reuters.