Residents of quake-hit area in Japan left without water, electricity

Following a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, tens of thousands of residents faced severe water shortages and temporary power outages. While electricity was largely restored by local power companies, over 95,000 households remained without running water.

Many survivors slept in cars and crowded into temporary shelters, raising heavy concerns over dangerous summer heatwaves and heatstroke. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged authorities to secure water supplies by taking all necessary measures.