Japan quake survivors battle thirst, heat as toll rises to 17
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but town official Akio Matsushita is most worried about the invisible threats from the lack of water and power amid the punishing summer heat.
Many of the port city's roughly 58,000 households were still without running water or power on Thursday, two days since the quake hit Kumamoto prefecture killing at least 17 people. Matsushita, who is helping lead relief efforts, said he had no idea whether it would take days, weeks or months to repair the badly damaged water mains.
'Because of the summer heat, the lack of water is especially difficult,' he said in the city hall.
With the building's toilets out of order, officials erected emergency toilets over sewer manholes outside, in temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and stifling humidity.
'It will require painstaking work, and there is currently no timetable,' he added.
DEATH TOLL CLIMBS
Including those still being investigated for a possible link to the quake, the death toll stands at 30, the government said.
One of the victims was a newlywed Vietnamese factory worker, survived by his wife and seven-month-old baby, according to Vietnamese news site Kenh14.
In an interview with the news site, Vu Thi Thuy recalled her last conversation with her husband the night before the tremor struck.
'Every time we video-called, my son never wanted to look at his dad but that night, for some reason, he stayed glued to the screen, wanting to be with his dad,' she said. 'It was after 11 p.m. when I finally told him, 'Let's hang up so dad can get some sleep. He has to work tomorrow.' I never imagined that would be our last call.'
AUTHORITIES WARN OF HEATSTROKE While rescue and relief efforts continue, a Kumamoto official warned of heatstroke risk in temperatures that were forecast to reach close to 40 C on the weekend. The Self-Defense Forces (SDF) —Japan's military — is installing about 300 air-conditioning units in evacuation centres and other key sites around Kumamoto.
Immediately after the quake, SDF trucks towed water tanks to community centres and schools across Yatsushiro city, returning to city hall to refill from emergency tanks beneath the building. Residents were limited to 5 litres each.
Among them was Masahiro Miyamoto, who had been helping clear rubble from a temple gate that had toppled.
He returned home after the late-afternoon quake to find his house still standing beside the collapsed remains of his neighbour’s home. But with no running water, he was forced to rely on military water bowsers.
The few shops still open were packed with people searching for supplies, he said, while cars formed long queues at petrol stations.
“It would be better if disasters did not happen, but this is Japan, so perhaps it is something we simply have to live with,” Miyamoto said.
Reuters
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but town official Akio Matsushita is most worried about the invisible threats from the lack of water and power amid the punishing summer heat.
Many of the port city's roughly 58,000 households were still without running water or power on Thursday, two days since the quake hit Kumamoto prefecture killing at least 17 people. Matsushita, who is helping lead relief efforts, said he had no idea whether it would take days, weeks or months to repair the badly damaged water mains.
'Because of the summer heat, the lack of water is especially difficult,' he said in the city hall.
With the building's toilets out of order, officials erected emergency toilets over sewer manholes outside, in temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and stifling humidity.
'It will require painstaking work, and there is currently no timetable,' he added.
DEATH TOLL CLIMBS
Including those still being investigated for a possible link to the quake, the death toll stands at 30, the government said.
One of the victims was a newlywed Vietnamese factory worker, survived by his wife and seven-month-old baby, according to Vietnamese news site Kenh14.
In an interview with the news site, Vu Thi Thuy recalled her last conversation with her husband the night before the tremor struck.
'Every time we video-called, my son never wanted to look at his dad but that night, for some reason, he stayed glued to the screen, wanting to be with his dad,' she said. 'It was after 11 p.m. when I finally told him, 'Let's hang up so dad can get some sleep. He has to work tomorrow.' I never imagined that would be our last call.'
AUTHORITIES WARN OF HEATSTROKE While rescue and relief efforts continue, a Kumamoto official warned of heatstroke risk in temperatures that were forecast to reach close to 40 C on the weekend. The Self-Defense Forces (SDF) —Japan's military — is installing about 300 air-conditioning units in evacuation centres and other key sites around Kumamoto.
Immediately after the quake, SDF trucks towed water tanks to community centres and schools across Yatsushiro city, returning to city hall to refill from emergency tanks beneath the building. Residents were limited to 5 litres each.
Among them was Masahiro Miyamoto, who had been helping clear rubble from a temple gate that had toppled.
He returned home after the late-afternoon quake to find his house still standing beside the collapsed remains of his neighbour’s home. But with no running water, he was forced to rely on military water bowsers.
The few shops still open were packed with people searching for supplies, he said, while cars formed long queues at petrol stations.
“It would be better if disasters did not happen, but this is Japan, so perhaps it is something we simply have to live with,” Miyamoto said.
Reuters
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan toppled houses and split open streets in the small city of Yatsushiro, but town official Akio Matsushita is most worried about the invisible threats from the lack of water and power amid the punishing summer heat.
Many of the port city's roughly 58,000 households were still without running water or power on Thursday, two days since the quake hit Kumamoto prefecture killing at least 17 people. Matsushita, who is helping lead relief efforts, said he had no idea whether it would take days, weeks or months to repair the badly damaged water mains.
'Because of the summer heat, the lack of water is especially difficult,' he said in the city hall.
With the building's toilets out of order, officials erected emergency toilets over sewer manholes outside, in temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and stifling humidity.
'It will require painstaking work, and there is currently no timetable,' he added.
DEATH TOLL CLIMBS
Including those still being investigated for a possible link to the quake, the death toll stands at 30, the government said.
One of the victims was a newlywed Vietnamese factory worker, survived by his wife and seven-month-old baby, according to Vietnamese news site Kenh14.
In an interview with the news site, Vu Thi Thuy recalled her last conversation with her husband the night before the tremor struck.
'Every time we video-called, my son never wanted to look at his dad but that night, for some reason, he stayed glued to the screen, wanting to be with his dad,' she said. 'It was after 11 p.m. when I finally told him, 'Let's hang up so dad can get some sleep. He has to work tomorrow.' I never imagined that would be our last call.'
AUTHORITIES WARN OF HEATSTROKE While rescue and relief efforts continue, a Kumamoto official warned of heatstroke risk in temperatures that were forecast to reach close to 40 C on the weekend. The Self-Defense Forces (SDF) —Japan's military — is installing about 300 air-conditioning units in evacuation centres and other key sites around Kumamoto.
Immediately after the quake, SDF trucks towed water tanks to community centres and schools across Yatsushiro city, returning to city hall to refill from emergency tanks beneath the building. Residents were limited to 5 litres each.
Among them was Masahiro Miyamoto, who had been helping clear rubble from a temple gate that had toppled.
He returned home after the late-afternoon quake to find his house still standing beside the collapsed remains of his neighbour’s home. But with no running water, he was forced to rely on military water bowsers.
The few shops still open were packed with people searching for supplies, he said, while cars formed long queues at petrol stations.
“It would be better if disasters did not happen, but this is Japan, so perhaps it is something we simply have to live with,” Miyamoto said.
Reuters
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Japan quake survivors battle thirst, heat as toll rises to 17
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