Noto Peninsula Earthquake

More than 30,000 Houses Damaged in Ishikawa Pref. by Noto Peninsula Earthquake; Figure Expected to Rise

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:29 JST, January 21, 2024

More than 30,000 housing units had been damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake as of Saturday, the Ishikawa prefectural government has reported.

In addition, according to emergency checks completed by Thursday to assess the risk of collapse, about 10,000 structures, or nearly 40% of those surveyed, were severely damaged and are at a high risk of collapse.

According to the prefectural government, 31,659 damaged houses were recorded in 18 cities and towns as of 2 p.m. on Saturday. In the cities of Nanao and Noto, 8,342 and 5,000 structures were damaged, respectively. Surveying damage in Wajima is proving difficult due to the extent of the destruction, and 870 damaged housing units were reported for the first time on Saturday.

The results of a similar survey in Suzu, which was also severely affected by the earthquake, had not yet been reported to the prefectural government. Suzu Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya said on Saturday that of the 1,762 cases surveyed, 761 units were found to be completely destroyed. The number of damaged houses is expected to increase significantly.

The emergency risk assessment checks, which are temporarily being conducted by municipalities for the safety of residents, were completed for 27,124 housing units by Thursday. Of the total, 10,267, or 38%, were classified as dangerous to enter, and 7,602 cases, or 28%, were assessed as being in need of extreme caution when entering.