A massive earthquake in central Japan on New Year's Day has now claimed 213 lives in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Eight people are believed to have died from causes related to the disaster after initially evacuating to safety. Authorities are focusing on the most vulnerable survivors to ensure the figure does not rise.

Officials in Ishikawa are asking nearby prefectures to accept elderly residents of nursing care homes with no power or water.

A Self-Defense Force helicopter was seen on Thursday transporting senior citizens to Aichi Prefecture.

Doctor Mizuno Mitsunori of Fujita Health University air transport team said, "We hear there are many more people in this kind of situation. And we hope to be of help."

Doctors are keeping a close eye and ambulances are on standby. Twelve medical institutions in Aichi received 30 people on Thursday.

More than 23,000 citizens are staying at 400 municipal shelters, such as school gymnasiums. Authorities want to move vulnerable evacuees to hotels and other types of accommodation.

The central government is trying to secure lodging for 10,000 people by the end of the week.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "Restoring infrastructure and securing housing will take some time. People should consider moving to a safer place to protect their lives and health."

Still, authorities are struggling to disseminate information about so-called secondary evacuations.

At least 2,500 people are still isolated due to damaged roads and railways. A Self-Defense Force medical team flew to Otani Town, where about 200 people have been stranded since the quake.

Some schools in affected areas have restarted after the winter break. But the classes are by no means full. At one of them, there were just 30 students on the first day. That was less than half the total. And the first thing they learned was how to use a portable toilet, because the school still has no water. As for the gymnasium, it is filled with evacuees.

Harsh weather is compounding the stress for many survivors. Rainfall and a severe cold snap are forecast on Friday in some of the hardest-hit areas.

Officials are warning of possible landslides. And they are urging people to take measures against hypothermia.